Most collectors of
US coins have at least a passing awareness of the 1925 Stone Mountain Memorial commemorative half dollar as it has one of the highest mintage figures of all the classic-era US commemorative coin series and is readily available in a range of grades at most coin shows. The Memorial is located near Atlanta, Georgia.
Less well-known is the set of commemorative medals produced for the 1970 dedication of the completed Memorial (it sat essentially untouched and uncompleted for decades). Bronze and silver medals of the same design were struck in two sizes by the US Mint and Medallic Art Company (MACO). Presented here is an acrylic-encased version of the small bronze medal.
The obverse of the medal features a view somewhat similar to the half dollar, an equestrian scene. On the medal is seen (left to right): Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and General Stonewall Jackson. (On the coin, Jackson occupied the position taken by Davis on the medal, and Davis was omitted.) In the background is seen a distant view of Stone Mountain, the world's largest, exposed granite rock. The inscriptions "STONE MOUNTAIN" and "CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL" encircle the graphic elements at the rim.
The medal's reverse (partially obscured in my image due to a pad placed inside of the acrylic entombment - for no readily apparent reason), includes "DUTY HONOR COURAGE" at the top rim, and "UNITY THROUGH SACRIFICE" at the bottom. In the center is found a laurel wreath encircling crossed US and Confederate Battle flags, with the pole of the US Flag in the front position. Stone Mountain is seen in the background.
The medal was designed and sculpted by Abram Belskie; the example shown here was struck by the Medallic Art Company (MACO) vs. being a US Mint product - it lacks the "P" mint mark found on US Mint strikes.
I've posted before about this medal, see more at:
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1925 Stone Mountain - 1970 Dedication PNC-
1925 Stone Mountain Memorial - Half Dollar1970 Stone Mountain Dedication Medal - Acrylic Entombment
1025 Stone Mountain Memorial Half Dollar
When I purchased my acrylic-encased medal, it came with a small leaflet that provides brief historical context for the piece plus some information on the medal itself.
1970 Stone Mountain Dedication Medal - Leaflet - Front Panel
1970 Stone Mountain Dedication Medal - Leaflet - Inner Left Panel
1970 Stone Mountain Dedication Medal - Leaflet - Inner Right Panel
1970 Stone Mountain Dedication Medal - Leaflet - Back Panel
Here's the US postage stage mentioned in the leaflet:
1970 Stone Mountain Dedication Stamp
For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including more on the Stone Mountain Memorial coin, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 03/26/2023 03:00 am
