Nice learning experience from a find
Namvet69
Posts: 9,100 ✭✭✭✭✭
As you know, I peruse a large local flea market. On occasion, I find something cool. This item is a no date proof
American Security Council medal marked MACO .999 fine silver. Languishing in a baggie amongst the usual assorted widgets. $8 and it's mine. A quick dip in acetone to kill the cooties and I like what I see. Zeroed in on the initials "TR", the Google indicates it is Tom Rogers. I wanted to know more, found his website and reached out. I received a great response, reminding me there's interesting people behind these designs. Enjoy.
Roy,
That would be the first medal that I ever designed, and sculpted. I
was working at Medallic Art Company in Danbury, Conn.
I started there in June of 1972, right out of college as a sketch artist.
When things got slow, they asked me to do some work
on plaster models, which did not have letters. So I learned how to cut
letters backwards in plaster.
After seeing the work that was coming in from outside sculptors, I decided
that I would teach myself how to sculpt.
So I developed carving in the negative plaster to a new level......Now
99.5% of all the work I do is carved backwards in plaster, and then
cast into a positive and finished off.
To get to the point, the medal you have, was done sometime between
late 1973 and Sprigtime of 1974. It was a stock Bicentennial
medal that Medallic Art Company used as a revere for many, many of their
1976 medals. Since it was used for so many issues as a "stock"
reverse, there's no way to tell how many were made. I only know it was
very popular.
I left there in 1974 to begin my freelance career.
I'll attach a photo of the one that I have, which is in bronze, and is the
3" size.
Respectfully, Tom Rogers
On Sat, Jun 18, 2022 at 4:53 PM Roy Ferrari rfjf67@comcast.net wrote:
Hello Tom, I acquired a 38mm proof medal, no packaging, marked MACO .999,
no date, eagle clutching 9 arrows and Liberty Bell. "TR" initials r/o
arrows. Are you the designer/ engraver of this medal? If so, can you date
it and do you know the total production run of this silver medal. Your CV
is impressive and your website is enjoyable. Have a good night.
Peace
Roy
New Hope Pa
BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW
Comments
Very cool and an excellent story to go along with it, thanks for sharing!
Coin Photographer.
That's a really great story. The documentation will make a nice complimentary piece to the medal. Too often, history gets lost in the shuffle of modern life. Glad to see some of it being recaptured.
Thanks Lance, you're the best.
BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW
And thank you Roy, for sharing this cool medal and story!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Amazing, nearly 50 years later. Appreciate hearing and often seeing history as it is. Thanks
.
you're too kind. i had posted it earlier, so i thought. luckily i revisited the thread only to find it gone and no draft, so not sure what happened. i've gotten in the habit of refreshing/revisiting threads i've posted to with stuff like this to ensure it "sticks." thankfully, i had that image still in the recycle bin and i empty it out pretty regularly.
What a great find and follow up. Medallic Art Company put out some quality artwork over the years!
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Great story and really nice silver medal @Namvet69 ... Cheers, RickO
What a educational and thoughtful response from Tom Rogers! He seems like a cool dude. As a collector of US Mint medals, I have a few of his designs.
By the way, after checking out his personal website, my browser was directed to some unwanted websites. Be careful.