First Director Of US Mint Featured On Medal

As the forum has begun discussing this medal, I hoped it would prove useful to provide some additional information about the project. Here are some jpegs of the lead proof strikes. (My apologies for image fidelity, these were taken without a tripod and any specialized lighting.) You may be better able to get an idea of where the project is heading by looking at images of proofing strikes rather than my concept illustrations.

The obverse portrait was informed at first by the stylization of Charles Willson Peale, who painted multiple portraits of David Rittenhouse. I also referred to other derivative engravings, copied from the Peale life portraits by other self-taught Colonial artisans. In as much, the likeness was not intended to be photographic, classical or naturalistic. Nor was my intention to create caricature, which is a deliberate exaggeration of feature proportions intended to create satire or comedic effect. My intention was to sculpt in a manner informed by the Colonial Limner tradition. The Colonial Limners may not have articulated with the sophistication some would prefer, but their self-taught approaches in portraiture grace museums around the United States and beyond as an early and important family album of our historic ancestry. I find these early American works interesting and thought them worthy of research and celebration.

While the reverse may not be reminiscent of the 1792 Half Disme per sé, my research in creating this sculpt was definitely informed by the coin. I looked at as many photographic images of the coin as I could find, including high resolution images of the Half Disme recently donated to the ANA Money Museum. All of the reproductions I had at hand were of well-worn examples of the reverse. These images made me wonder about what a fresh strike might have looked like. As I could not find one, I decided to afford myself the artistic license to make a sculpt with invented detail. The end result was never intended to be a facsimile magnification, so much as a derivative interpretation. As the 1792 Half Disme was a first step toward our official decimal system coinage, I began the device below the field level at the bottom and had it emerge up and over field height -- as a symbol of a new beginning. My adding the olive branch from the great seal could be debated as creative license or sacrilege, depending upon your viewpoint. In the end, I added the olive branch because the purpose of the medal is to reflect aspects of the host city. As Philadelphia is so well known as the City of Brotherly Love, I wanted to refer to Penn's namesake with this familiar numismatic symbol for peace.

Over the years I've looked at and created a lot of artwork, mostly inspired by the Beaux-Arts tradition and the Golden Age of Illustration. In this project, however, I felt it necessary to investigate and pay homage to early traditions in American art. The end result of my research was not targeted toward the neoclassical beauty of St. Gaudens, Weinman, Frasier and the like. I looked at many samples of early American coinage and other arts and crafts within the Colonial timeperiod. This research, interpreted through the lens of my own profoundly imperfect and modest abilities, lead to the lead strikes posted here.

I'll be in Philadelphia discussing Mr. Rittenhouse and the 1792 Half Disme at the ANA convention Money Talks program on Saturday, August 11 at 1:00 pm. By then the actual medal will have been struck and will be available for viewing. I would like to invite the forum to come join me in a group discussion about a great Philadelphian and an interesting little and rare coin.

I enjoy this forum and have read your posts for some time. Hope this post was useful.
- Jamie

Here's one of the images of the Half Disme reverse I was looking at -
and the cropping I used as a point of departure for reinterpretation.
I do like the Half Disme series and enjoy the progression the coin through the years of this denomination. Below are some of the many sites online with great information about the Half Disme series.

http://www.coin-collecting-guide-fo...f-dimes.html

http://www.coinsite.com/coinsite-pf...05csmeag.asp

http://www.ngccoin.com/NGCCoinExplo...y-Half-Dimes

Of note, the interpretations of Eagles in the early years of the Half Disme series received some pretty harsh criticism. These early eagles are great Philadelphia stories, underdogs without sophistication but with a lot of soul.
I'll bet many of you have excellent Half Dismes in your collections, which I hope you'll post on this thread if you feel inclined.

to the Community, Jamie Franki!

We really appreciate you taking the time to join and provide so much additional information.

Again, apologies for the digital concept art rather than the actual strike, but this illustration will at least give the idea of the convention ribbon drape -- this year it will be green.

Last year in Chicago at the ANA 120th, I wore several ANA badges on my blazer. While stopping off for a coffee, someone in the line thanked me and asked what branch of service I was affiliated with. I told them "ANA," and gave 'em a salute.

It was odd that someone thought I somehow took one for the cause. Whenever I meet veterans, I always find myself thanking them for their service. I've never served in the military. The brave men and women in our armed services make more profound sacrifices than I could ever imagine. As an artist, my tiny battles get won and lost on paper, in pixels, in clay and in in plaster, and in the court of public opinion. No one has actually fired bullets in my direction - but as evidenced in this thread, sometimes even coin and medal design has it's danger.


(I've taken more than my share of ordinance on this design, but the rehab is moving along nicely...)

That is part of the thrill of numismatic design. Beside the historical research, and the time involved with the drawing and sculpting - I get the opportunity to meet really smart people who care deeply about what they collect and take the time to study and learn. Knowledge is power, right?

After having been a magazine designer/illustrator for years, making the switch to numismatic design changed my life. People generally throw away magazines, but they will collect coins and medals. The work has value. It represents important ideas, events, places, people, and yes, noble creatures.




Again, I would like to invite anyone who will be in Philadelphia at the ANA to share in our discussion of David Rittenhouse and the 1792 Half Disme. Check out the medal - some of you may like it well enough to purchase one. If you do, I'd be super glad to meet with you, devalue your purchase by signing the box, and even sign some WJ nickels for your grandchildren. I'll have the original drawings, the plasters and the leads on hand as well.



;^) JNF

Jamie just wanted to add I too loved the Buffalo reverse. I liked the whole idea of the wayward series as well

Here are some images of the 2.75" bronze convention medal I received today from the Medalcraft Mint.





These might give you a better idea what the medal strike and finish looks like.

Happy Birthday, Jamie!