Commems Collection Medals: The Johns Hopkins University Alumni Medal

Presented is the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) 50-Year Alumnus Medal. The medal was awarded to George V. Edwards (inscribed on reverse).

On the obverse, the medal depicts The Johns Hopkins University Seal/Coat-of-Arms - it is in the shape of a classic shield and is comprised of five distinct sections. Within the top section is a globe flanked by open books - the books represent knowledge and scientific research (JHU is the first research-focused University in the US) with the globe being symbolic of JHU's global reach; on a color version of the Seal, the background color of the top section is azure (a medium blue halfway between cyan and blue on the color spectrum).

The lower four sections of the Shield present the Coat-of-Arms of Lord Baltimore, George Calvert. He combined the colors of his father's family (black and gold) with the colors of his mother's family (red and white). Patterns incorporating the colors of each were placed on a shield in alternating quadrants. In the Upper Left and Lower Right quadrants, the raised areas on the medal represent the color Gold; the lower areas, Black. In the Upper Right and Lower Left quadrants, the raised areas represent the color White, the lower areas, Red.

The Calvert Coat of Arms is also seen in the Arms of the State of Maryland.

The ribbon below the Shield is inscribed, VERITAS VOS LIBERABIT which translates to THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE. The "1876" seen above the Shield indicates the year the University was founded.

The reverse side depicts the Johns Hopkins Monument. The Monument was created by Hans Schuler, noted sculptor of Baltimore, and presented to the City of Baltimore by the Baltimore Municipal Art Society in 1935. The bust at the top of the marble column is Johns Hopkins, founding benefactor of the University and Hospital. To the right of the column is an allegorical female figure holding a bowl - she represents Healing and the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. On the left side of the column is found an allegorical male figure who holds a book and a scroll and represents Knowledge and the University.

The Johns Hopkins University Alumnus Medal - 50 Years


For more about Hans Schuler, see:

- 1934 Maryland Tercentenary And Hans Schuler
- 1934 Maryland Tercentenary - Revisited


For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, see: Commems Collection.