Football medal in honor of the Super Bowl: An early piece by Victor David Brenner circa 1894
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Here is a piece that I acquired this year after a long search.
(1894) Football Medal, V.D. Brenner Fec. N.Y., NGC MS64 Brown Smedley-15. Bronze, 35 mm
I first saw this one a few years back in the archives of a prominent online dealer's inventory. I was immediately drawn to the obverse pictorial, something so lifelike it made me feel as though I were there in the medal itself. Brenner masterfully crafted a scene of young men on a muddy field, savagely trying to rip a ball from each other's arms as they engage in a sport that would become the very symbol of American athletics. Football. It had already been sold, and I kicked myself at the lost opportunity. Low and behold the piece turned up in a Stacks Auction a few months ago, and I jumped at the opportunity. It's a very rare, early piece from the designer of the Lincoln Cent, Victor David Brenner and I cannot find a record of another sold in Bronze.
Simply beautiful and very high relief. Under a loupe, the players are popping right out.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Comments
Nice copper for Monday Night Football.
Saints vs. Texans had an amazing last few minutes.
Successful BST deals with mustangt and jesbroken. Now EVERYTHING is for sale.
Very nice. I recently picked up a Brenner medal myself.
Feel free to post it. I just love his work. Can you imagine if the Mint employed people with comparable talent today?
Maybe they could redesign the cent
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Stack's description from a few years ago:
5027 Undated (1894) Football Medal. Bronze. 35.3 mm. By Victor
David Brenner. Smedley-15. Choice About Uncirculated.
This medal is cataloged as #1 in the Catalog of Medals and
Plaques By Victor D. Brenner published by The Grolier Club
in 1907. Problem-free finish with rich milk chocolate patina
underlain by the barest hits of copper red. Obverse dominated
by a huge rugby ball resting vertically atop an oak wreath and
eagle. Goalposts and banners in background. Signed V.D.B.
FEC. The reverse shows an intricate view of a rugby game
during a play, with crowds watching from the stands. Signed
V. D. Brenner FEC. N. Y. One of Brenner s earliest works, this
medal is seldom encountered.
I have always like this one
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
That is a very attractive medal.... Though not a fan of ball sports, it does depict the early form of the sport very well. And still, it seems, that few realize the futility of fighting over a ball....
OK... I will say no more...Cheers, RickO
Do you suppose the ribbons and scroll were intended for engraving the name of the winning team? It would be interesting to find an awarded version.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
Beautiful piece of Copper!! Both obverse AND reverse are charmingly well-designed!!
Yes, Drew Brees dissected the Texans defense just like a skilled surgeon, so that Will Lutz could step up and do his job right. Very exciting Monday Night Football.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Yes.
This piece is exceeding rare, and to my knowledge no engraved examples exist. Though it does seem that it was intended as as some kind of award medal that was never produced. @jonathanb actually has one of these in silver, and these are the only two I've seen in auction records. The bronze one I saw years ago is the same example purchased at Stacks. (And the same example called AU in a previous Stacks.) It is now in a thick NGC 64 holder.
Of note, Brenner produced this obverse design in a small plaque. I'll look for an image to post later.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Not the best photo, but here is the plaque:
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Terrific medal, with a real sense of depth and movement.
Very cool, thanks for sharing
Latin American Collection
Gee Dennis you sure don't pick boring stuff ! Thanks for sharing.
WS
Very cool medal !
Can you imagine running around in the mud, chasing after this thing ?
I played a bunch of football when I was a kid because that’s just what we did for fun. These days, I wonder how many do that compared to playing on a phone or tablet.
Very cool medal. Thanks for sharing. Cool how the die crack makes it look like flag guy is being struck by lightning.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Modern football = much bigger, faster, hit a lot harder.
Well, just Love coins, period.
Bump for the big game. One of my favorite medals. Under a glass these little guys look like they are ready to jump right off and choke you out!
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Reviving this thread for the Super Bowl.
Happy Sunday, everyone.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Thank you!
Must be Medal/SCD week on the forum.
Alot of really cool stuff popping up!
BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out
What an exquisite medal.
I love the background. Looks to depict a campus.
The ref is wearing a bowler and he's signaling with a flag. I'd like to know the story behind that. The flag that is.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Bumping this for today's big game! This is still one of my favorite medals
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
I agree, great medal!