As I noted in my previous "Cousin" post for the 1986 Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island commemorative coin program (Read it
here.), the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (SOL-EIF) raised money through licensing (of its name/logo) and by making original material from the Statue available to third parties to create new/souvenir products. The Foundation, however, did not directly sell such licensed products.
Note: The copper made available by the Foundation was generally from the Statue's copper "saddles" that were removed during the restoration/preservation work. These "saddles" secured the copper outer skin of the Statue to its interior support frame (designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel and made primarily of iron); most they were badly corroded, . The old saddles were replaced by new fasteners that would withstand/prevent corrosion far better.The Gold Leaf Corporation, founded in 1984, arranged with the SOL-EIF to collect original artifacts and material from the Statue during its restoration (vs. having such material discarded) and produced a variety of "Authentic Materials" products that included a copper statue, pendants, key chains and money clips (among other items). The products were typically sold by other parties.
Note: The company's name was changed to SOLEIA (Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Ambassadors) and it billed itself as "the exclusive partner of the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. for artifacts preserved from the centennial restoration of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island." However, based on its out-of-date web site, the Company does not appear to be currently active.Sears was one of the outlets for Gold Leaf's "Authentic Materials" products. Among them, a 1-1/2" medal sold as an "Exclusive Limited Edition." The medal, containing 95% authentic material, was sold for $20 in a plastic display case with a navy blue fiber board insert with gold printing, including the incorporation of the official SOL-EIF logo.
Authentic Materials Centennial Medal
Authentic Materials Centennial Medal in Display Case
Authentic Materials Centennial Medal - Certificate of Authenticity
The obverse of the medal presents a close-up view of
Liberty's head with "LIBERTY" inscribed below it; the design is based on the official logo of the Foundation. The medal's reverse features the incription: "IN / COMMEMORATION / OF THE / RESTORATION / OF THE / STATUE OF LIBERTY / AND / ELLIS ISLAND". A copyright notice for the Foundation is seen at the lower rim.
Close-up views of
Liberty's head were common on SoL souvenirs at the time of the centennial. Elizabeth Jones (Chief Engraver, US Mint) chose a similar view (from below vs. head on) for the obverse of the 1986 Gold Half Eagle.
1986 Statue of Liberty Gold Half Eagle
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more about the 1986 Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island coins, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 08/01/2023 12:54 pm
