J.w. Riley Medal - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 3,168
Bilbo Pillar of the Community United States 812 Posts	Posted 09/25/2007 11:20 am Once I figure out how to take decent photographs and post them, this medal will be the first (since it's so big). In the mean time, I'd like some help in researching the medal (when it was made, why, how many, is it worth enough that I can retire, etc). It is 68 mm in diameter and weighs 3.4 oz, made of bronze. On the obverse is a portrait of James Whitcomb Riley, the dates 1849 and 1916, and a legend "James Whitcomb Riley / Poet of Hope and Cheer / Lover and Friend of Mankind." On the Reverse is a satyr sitting on a fence, playing music for a farmer with a beard and a little boy. There is a stamp on the edge of the rim saying "Medallic Art Co NY." I've been able to figure out that Medallic Art Co makes a lot of medals, and have seen a lot of examples, but have found no reference to this one. I'm hoping someone with more expertise in the field can give me some more info and/or point me in the right direction. Report this Post to the Staff

LeAnn Valued Member United States 429 Posts	Posted 09/25/2007 12:43 pm Bilbo: Found some info from Indiana home of Riley. Riley's death on July 22, 1916 prompted a second proclamation by Ralston thus continuing the commemoration of Riley's birthday and influence. A special medallion was minted. The 1948 proclammation for the centennial anniversary celebration was issued by Governor Ralph Fesler Gates. On February 25, 1998 the Indiana State Legislature passed a resolution designating the period from October 7, 1998 to October 7, 1999 as "The Year of Riley" in observance of the Sesquicentennial of the Poet's birth. The Riley Old Home in conjunction with the Greenfield Sesquicentennial Committee issued sets of commemorative coins to mark the occasion. Are one of these the coin/medallion you have? Image: JWRmedal.jpg 35.32 KB Image: JWRcoin.jpg 90.83 KB Report this Post to the Staff
Bilbo Pillar of the Community United States 812 Posts	Posted 09/25/2007 3:17 pm Bingo! Yes, the first one (JWRmedal) is the medal in question. Is there any information on how many of these were made? Do you have a link to any additional information about this piece? Thanks!! Report this Post to the Staff
LeAnn Valued Member United States 429 Posts	Posted 09/25/2007 4:36 pm Bilbo: This is the link where I found the info, but it doesn't say anything about how many were made. http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/ri...welcome.html LeAnn For Medallic Co.: http://www.medallic.com/ Under their FAQ section:I have a medal minted by Medallic Art Company. How much is it worth? How many were made? What is the history behind it? Medallic Art has minted thousands of medals for various individuals, companies, and organizations since our company was founded in 1903. If you would like to obtain information about a medal minted by Medallic Art, we suggest you contact a reputable coin/medallion dealer. Also found this at flebay http://cgi.ebay.com/JAMES-WHITCOMB-...AL_W0QQitemZ 110145285741QQcmdZViewItem Edited by LeAnn 09/25/2007 4:54 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Bilbo Pillar of the Community United States 812 Posts	Posted 09/25/2007 10:56 pm It sounds like Medallic Art Co doesn't (or at least didn't) keep records of what they made. It seems unlikely anyone else would have this info (even a "reputable" dealer). I'd guess that a specialist in Medallic Art medals might know the relative rarity of the more popular issues. Do medal collectors refer to rarity (R#) of medals, or is that just tokens and some coin varieties? Is there an authoritative catalog that is considered the "must have" for medal collectors? Since this piece makes up my entire medal collection, and I now know a great deal more about it than I did all the years I've owned it, I'm considering this a big step forward. Thanks again, LeAnn, for all you help! Edited by Bilbo 09/26/2007 11:32 am Report this Post to the Staff
LeAnn Valued Member United States 429 Posts	Posted 09/26/2007 11:55 am Bilbo: You learn something and I learned something, that's what it's all about.lol. LeAnn Report this Post to the Staff
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