A Continuing Thread ~ Post Your Tokens, Medals, Exonumia Acquisitions

Thanks. The finish on these early US mint bronze medals is rich, deep and lustrous. I'm a big fan!

1971 Medallic Art Co (MACO) gilt bronze medal
The Mountain Man



This medal depicts a 1903 sculpture titled "The Mountain Man" by Frederic Remington, famous for his American western art themes in paintings and sculptures.



The life of a mountain man, trapper and explorer, was rugged. Many did not last more than several years in the wilderness. They faced many hazards, especially when exploring unmapped areas. Biting insects and other wildlife, harsh weather, diseases of all kinds, injuries and hostile indians presented constant physical dangers.
Grizzly bears were one of the mountain man's greatest enemies.
Winters could be brutal with heavy snowstorms and low temperatures.
In order to stay alive, the men needed keen senses, and knowledge of herbal remedies and first aid. They could catch fish, build shelter, and hunt for food and skins. Mountain men dressed in animal skins that gave them some protection against man and beast.

1974 St. Anthony of Padua Franklin Mint Bronze Medal
Preaching to the Fishes

I found this medal captivating, then I found the story. I post a little about it here.
I have been out on my boat at night, channel catfishing many a time and have talked to the fish, but I'd hardly call it preaching.



Wherefore on a day Saint Anthony being in Rimini, where was great company of heretics, desiring to bring them back to the light Antony of the true faith and to the path of virtue, preached unto them for many days, and disputed of the faith of Christ and of the Holy Scripture: but they not only gave no consent unto his holy words, but therewithal, as men hardened and stiff-necked, would give no ear unto him.

Inspired of God, Saint Anthony went one day to the river-side hard by the sea; and standing thus upon the bank betwixt the river and the sea, began to speak after the manner of a preacher sent by God unto the fishes.
"Hear the word of God, O ye fishes of the sea and of the river, since the infidel heretics refuse to hear it."

And when he had thus spoken, forthwith there came unto him to the bank a multitude of fishes, great and small and what between, that never in that sea nor in that river had been seen so great a multitude; and they all held up their heads above the water and all stood attentive towards the face of Saint Anthony, one and all in much great peace and gentleness and order.
In front and more near the bank stood the smaller fish, and behind them stood the fish of middle size, further behind where deeper water was the greater fishes stood.
Therewith the fishes being thus wise, set in order and array.


and ...
Saint Anthony of Padua is also the Catholic Patron Saint for finding lost things!

Thanks scopru.

A long awaited and hotly pursued Frederic Remington themed medal and my favorite of the series.
The guy who I found "The Mountain Man" happened to have an extra of this medal that I was outbid on.
Glad I inquired! I got it for less!

1971 Medallic Art Co (MACO) bronze medal
Coming Through The Rye



Frederic Remington (1861-1909) depicted the life of the cowboy during the 1880s and 1890's, perhaps, better than any other artist of his time.
He thought of himself as a true citizen of the American West.
This medal depicts a 1902 sculpture titled "Coming Through The Rye" by Frederic Remington, famous for his American western art themes in paintings and sculptures.

Harold McCracken (1894-1983) was an American author, Alaskan grizzly bear hunter, biplane stunt photographer, cinematographer, producer and museum director. He was a noted explorer, who led expeditions in the 1920s tracing the possibility of a long-ago land bridge between Siberia and Alaska.
He wrote ...

Quote:
"Coming Through the Rye represents four cowboys mounted on broncos dashing at full gallop, waving their six-shooters over their heads with quirts flying from their wrists. They have the spark of abandon and deviltry in their hollow eyes; and their mouths are open as though in the act of shrieking out some wild Western apostrophe to the red gods of recklessness. The broncos, snorting and straining forward, are shoulder to shoulder, and their flying hooves emphasize the devil-may-care of such a mad ride."

I wish there was a little more posting from others, but I am still having fun
with bronze and silver medals to add.

George Catlin - Yellowstone
Another Old West artist medal by Frank Hagel.

George Catlin was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
As a child growing up in Pennsylvania, Catlin had spent many hours hunting, fishing, and looking for American Indian artifacts. His fascination with Native Americans was kindled by his mother, who told him stories of the western frontier and how she was captured by a tribe when she was a young girl. Years later, a group of Native Americans came through Philadelphia dressed in their colorful outfits and made quite an impression on Catlin.
Following a brief career as an attorney, Catlin produced two major collections of paintings of American Indians and published a series of books chronicling his travels among the native peoples of North, Central, and South America.

Catlin appears to have written an eccentric book, which was in an eighth edition by 1882, entitled Shut Your Mouth. This is a serious essay suggesting that all manner of ills arise in people who were slack jawed, people who do not routinely keep their mouths closed.
In it, the author claims that even too much talking is harmful because of the mouth being open for the purpose. "There is no person in society but who will find... improvement in health and enjoyment..." from keeping his or her mouth shut.

George Carlin and all his "stuff"

I need more stuff to put all my stuff in!

TNG,

I forgot to post these a while back, they go with that unknown Grant medal of yours. Here's one, I'll try to find some more of them.