The American Freedom Train got a head start on the US Bicentennial with the release of its official gold, silver and bronze medals on April 1, 1975. The American Freedom Train Foundation, Inc. was the sponsor of the medal series, as well as the American Freedom Train that embarked on a cross-country tour consisting of stops in all 48 states within the continental US. (I visited the train when it stopped in my area!)
1975-76 American Freedom Train Logo
The train consisted of 26 cars and was 2,100 feet long. It was pulled by a steam-powered locomotive engine (three different engines served in the role during the tour). Visitors toured through ten cars, with an additional two cars containing large objects that were viewed from the outside through large "showcase" windows.
The train moved visitors through a multi-media presentation of 200 years of "US art, architecture, entertainment, exploration, government, inventions, literature, science, sports and transportation" via a moving walkway that kept everyone moving at a pre-determined pace (the full tour lasted about 12 minutes). Each visitor was given a personal wireless speaker wand that was used to listen to a location-specific narration about the articles on display. Included among the 500+ objects was Benjamin Franklin's copy of the
Articles of Confederation,George Washington's copy of the
US Constitution and a moon rock.
The cost of a ticket was $2 for adults 18-65, and $1 for those younger or older.
The tour began in Wilmington, Delaware, April 1-4, 1975 and continued until its final stop in Miami, Florida from December 26-31, 1976.
The medal was issued in 18 karat gold (1-1/4" diameter), vermeil (24 karat gold on 0.999 fine silver, 2-1/2" diameter), 0.999 fine silver with antiqued finish (2-1/2" diameter) and bronze with antiqued finish (2-1/2" diameter). The issue price and mintage for each medal was:
- Gold: $400 each / 500 medals
- Vermeil: $100 / 1,000
- Silver, Antique Finish: $70 / 5,000
- Bronze, Antique Finish: $10 / Unrestricted (but limited to the number sold by July 4, 1976)
The medals were struck by Medallic Art Company of Connecticut (they had moved from New York City by this time) and were sold directly by them.
All of the above medals were struck in high-relief. A smaller medal, in low-, or coin-, relief (1-1/2" diameter) was also struck, but only sold at the train's stops - proof and antiqued finish silver ($25) and antiqued finish bronze ($2.50) versions were available. (I picked up a bronze one during my visit.)
The medal was designed/sculpted by the prolific medallic artist Marcel Jovine - he designed 50+ medals and seven modern US commemorative coins. The obverse of the medal depicts a steam locomotive, with a 4-8-4 wheel configuration, at the front of the American Freedom Train in the foreground with a map of the continental US in the background. The reverse design depicts a Minuteman (left) from the time of the American Revolution standing alongside a 20th century astronaut. The pair is holding up a flag pole that jointly flies a "Betsy Ross" 13-star flag and the current 50-star US flag. The pair are flanked by the commemorative dates "1776" and "1976" inscribed on a ribbon. On the bottom segment of the ribbon is seen the American Freedom Train logo.
1975-76 American Freedom Train Medal - 2-1/2" Bronze
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, check out:
Commems Collection
Posted 03/03/2022 11:00 am
