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

999 another nice one!

My 35th different Heraldic Art Medal
So-called Half Dollar

1970 Nathan B. Palmer
Antarctic Pioneer

Nathaniel Brown Palmer was an American seal hunter, explorer, sailing captain, and ship designer. He gave his name to Palmer Land, Antarctica, which he explored in 1820 on his Hero sloop.
Houqua was an early clipper ship with an innovative hull design, built for A.A. Low & Brother in 1844.
Captain Nathaniel Palmer was an advisor to the Lows as a marine superintendent and helped design The Houqua.
I find no information validating that the Houqua was the actual "First China Clipper" as stated on the obverse of this medal.

When these vessels of a new model were built, which were intended to "clip" over the waves rather than plough through them, the improved type of craft became known as "clippers" because of their speed.
To sailors, three things made a ship a clipper. She must be sharp-lined, built for speed. She must be tall-sparred and carry the utmost spread of canvas. And she must use that sail, day and night, fair weather and foul.
Houqua sailed in the China trade where tea and opium were the usual cargo.

On May 5th 1853 in a violent squall, a meteor, apparently about the size of a man's head, broke at the masthead, throwing out the most violent sparks.
Houqua sailed from Yokohama, August 15, 1864, for New York, and was thereafter never heard from again. It is assumed she sank in a tsunami.



click for larger image

1895 Wannamaker
Ohi-Yesa
Lucky Charm Token


This very attractive and fascinating token was catalogued by token authority Russell Rulau as Phi 114, and he dated it to approximately 1895. This good luck token was issued by the Wanamaker Department Store in Philadelphia, PA, as indicated by the phrase WANAMAKER-ORIGINATOR, an advertising phrase used for years by Wanamaker, referring to the innovation demonstrated by the store.

The obverse has a very high-relief (three-dimensional) image of a Native American in full headdress, with the name OHI-YESA along the upper rim. Actually, this is an alteration of the Dakota/Sioux name Ohíye S'a, which translates as 'always wins.'

This was the Dakota name given to the prominent Santee Dakota physician, author, lecturer, and reformer Dr. Charles Eastman (1858-1939), but I can't determine the connection to Wanamaker.
Eastman was of Santee Dakota, English and French ancestry. After working as a physician on reservations in South Dakota, he became increasingly active in politics and issues on Native American rights, he worked to improve the lives of youths, and founded thirty-two Native American chapters of YMCA. He also helped found the Boy Scouts of America. He is considered the first Native American author to write American history from the Native American point of view.

The reverse has the words THE WINNER, Porte Bonheur which in French translates Lucky Charm, and WANAMAKER-ORIGINATOR. This token was struck very well, with great detail, high-relief bust, and bold lettering. The diameter is approximately 26 mm, and the composition is copper.

Dr. Charles Eastman

1971 Annie Oakley NRA
Nation of Riflemen
correct version (My third example)



I now have three correct versions of this 1971 Annie Oakley NRA Medal from the "Nation of Riflemen" set.
I say "correct" because I also have one with the reverse of another medal that I posted here.
http://goccf.com/t/301479&whichpage=88#2861962

Here's another of what I personally consider the best medal in the 30 medal set.
I include a picture of my recent purchase of a 1933 Goudey Indian Gum card of Buffalo Bill because the medal also shows a banner for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and Buffalo Bill on horseback on this medals obverse.

I've been eyeballing some Medallic Art Co. (MACo) medals over the last few months. I love the "Americana" designs and the heft of the bronze feels great in hand.

I finally pulled the trigger when I found this medal celebrating the completion of the San Diego - Coronado Bay Bridge. San Diego is one of my favorite cities in the US and Coronado is a beautiful beachfront neighborhood on a peninsula on the far side of the bay. The bridge is sky high and can be pretty scary to cross if you're not into heights! In that case you can take the ferry and enjoy the underbelly of the bridge ;)

This medal is a bit unusual in one way: it's oval. Most MACo medals that I've seen are standard round pieces.

PS: I grabbed two of these medals so if anyone here wants one, let me know, maybe we can make a deal.

The medal was designed by Spero Anargyros:

ANARGYROS, Spero (1915-2004 ) sculptor, medalist, San Francisco, California.

Born New York City, 23 January 1915. Trained at Art Students League in New York City he also worked with sculptor Mahonri Young under Avard Fairbanks, in Salt Lake City. Anargyros was versatile in his sculpture productions ranging from meadllic models to monuments, heroic figures and architectural objects, but was equally competient in both bronze and marble for portrait heads, reliefs, and small statues. Signed medallic models SA initials (and as a brand on a horse's haunch on the Salinas California Centennial Medal). Fellow: National Sculpture Society. Member: American Art Foundation. Member: American Portrait Society. Board of Advisors: Artists Hall of Fame. Died San Mateo, California 10 September 2004.

Source: http://www.medalartists.com/anargyros-spyro.html

@TNG -

The bridge had to be high enough to allow aircraft carriers safe clearace. So it's 200 feet high in the center. If they used a straight line then the bridge would have been too steep, so they used the curve to make the bridge longer and build a gradual ramp over the bay.

PS: were you Navy or Marines...?

2018 Hornby Island BC $20 Conservation Token.

-