Commems Collection Classic: 1925 Norse-American Centennial Medal - Historical Tidbits

I always enjoy discussing the 1925 Norse-American Centennial Medical. Here are a few brief tidbits:


Tidbit #1

The Norse-American Centennial Committee set the price for its silver medal at $1.25 (including postage and handling) and directed those with interest to send their orders to Norse-American Centennial Committee, Medal Department, 11 Washington Ave S., Minneapolis, Minnesota. Payment, in the form of bank check/draft or postal money order needed to be included with the order. Of note: there was a strict limit of one medal per order; those desiring more than one medal were required to send in additional orders.

The medals were later made available at select local banks at the same $1.25 price (no postage necessary!).


Tidbit #2

Many contemporary news stories touted the Norse-American Centennial medal as being the first commemorative medal authorized by Congress and struck by the US Mint. It was not. The Mint had struck multiple authorized commemorative medals prior to the Norse piece, but the unfounded claim was initiated by the Norse-American Centennial Committee, and was restated by others often and presented as fact. (You can't always believe what you read - in the past or present - this is especially true in today's AI-fueled online search environment!)


Tidbit #3

United States ("US") President Calvin Coolidge spoke at the Norse-American Centennial celebration, and touted America's success in bringing together its diverse immigrant populations:

"If fraternity and co-operation are possible on the scale of this continent among people so widely diverse, why not on the scale of the world? I feel it is possible of realization. I am convinced that our national story might somewhat help to guide mankind toward such a goal."

It was a good message then, and one that folks need to be reminded of today - it can be done!

For a bit more on President Coolidge and the Norse-American Centennial celebration in St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota, see:

- 1925 Norse-American Centennial - Calvin Coolidge At Celebration


Tidbit #4

The "heroic Viking" setting foot on American soil on the medal's obverse (designed by James Earle Fraser), was meant to serve 'double duty.' It was to symbolize Leif Erickson's "discovery" of America circa 1000 AD, along with the 1825 arrival of the Norse immigrants. (I have to say, however, that I'd bet few, if any, of the 1825 immigrant wore the traditional Viking helmet when they arrived! )


1925 Norse-American Centennial Medal - Thick Variety, Silver



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other US classic-era commemorative coin Tidbits , see: Commems Collection