40 mm, 31.42 grams, believe it's Silver 1868 "Mott Medal", Is it a Mott Medal? And any info would h
Smittys
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Smittys
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I couldn't find anything in my references, though it looks similar to some US Mint struck award medals. it could be that the school ordered them from the Mint in bulk and then added the engraving for the specific student.
Ambrose Loomis Ranney was born on June 10, 1848 at Hardwick, Massachussets, the son of Lafayette and Adeline Eliza (Loomis) Ranney. He had twelve brothers, six of whom became physicians. His grandfather was Waitstill Ranney, a physician, at one time lieutenant-governor of Vermont. His father, a police surgeon for many years, was one of three brothers, all of whom were physicians.
Ranney graduated (A. B. ) from Dartmouth College in 1868, having previously begun the study of medicine with his uncle, Prof. Alfred L. Loomis, in New York City. Upon the completion of three courses of lectures in the medical department of the University of the City of New York, he received the degree of M. D. in 1871, having won the Mott gold and silver medals during his course.
It does not look US Mint. The denticles aren’t right (unless the dies were engraved outside the Mint and then the Mint struck them). Without documentation it would be a stretch.
I agree. Looks more like the myriad of school medals that were en vogue in the latter part of the 19th century.
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Nice old medal, and the reference by @keets lends credence to probable authenticity. Cheers, RickO
** though it looks similar to some US Mint struck award medals**
It does not look US Mint. The denticles aren’t right (unless the dies were engraved outside the Mint and then the Mint struck them). Without documentation it would be a stretch.
actually, no more of a "stretch" then to say it wasn't struck by the Mint. the only point I was making is that it looks similar to Mint medals of the era. the medal itself, aside from the wreath and denticles, offers us no help, no designer initials(almost a requirement for a Mint design and Mint made die) or other markers on the rim, unless Smittys failed to note those. add to that little to be found online and wagering a "guess" is the best we have.
there are other members here who are way more knowledgeable than me on this stuff, perhaps they'll notice the thread.
Doesn't feel like a Mint medal to me. The blank obverse die (except for the rim) is a real buzz killer.
You could try researching various agricultural medals and the like to try to find that generic "AWARDED TO" reverse die.
Dr. Valentine Mott (1785 - 1865) in his will established medals to be awarded in the Medical Department of the University Of New York. The original award medals are reported in gold, silver & bronze and were struck and signed by G.H. Lovett. They feature a bust of Mott on the obverse and an inscription "University Of New York Medical School, Awarded To:". I would venture that the OP medal is a later 19th Century variety that replaced the Lovett version.
"Dr. Mott created a trust in his will by virtue of which one gold, one silver, and one copper medal are bestowed upon the three graduates of the New York university medical college for the best dried anatomical specimens. " [http://medicalantiques.com/civilwar/Medical_Authors_Faculty/Mott_Vanentine.htm]
Mott is described as "the foremost surgeon of his day". The award continues through at least 2001 but I couldn't determine if it is still in medallic form. Credits - AJN, NYU
There is a third Mott medal (non-award) that, based on the description, I would love to see:
Obv. A patient lying upon an operating table, at whom Death, as a skeleton amid clouds, aims a dart, which is warded off by standing female figures. Legend Secat Salvbriter (He wounds to heal).
Rev. Chirvrgo Peritissimo Valentino Mott Auditores Svi. Prid. Id. Feb. MDCCCXXII