I have been putting together a set of these “Philadelphia” medals. There are at least 17 obverse/reverse combinations. I’m about half way there. Sometimes referred to a “mini-assay” medals because the reverses are similar to certain assay medals.
National Bicentennial Medal - Three Versions - Frank Gasparro Designer - Engraver. Struck at Philadelphia. 1.5" OD. Issue Prices Listed Bronze $5.00 .925 Sterling Silver $25.00 Gold-plated Bronze $15.00
A 3" Sterling Silver, Antique Finish-- 7.82 troy oz. -- $150.00 was also available.
The USM also struck three gold proof versions:
29/32 " -- .37 troy oz. -- $100.00
1-15/16" -- 1.167 troy oz. -- $400.00
3" - 13.18 troy oz. -- $4,000.00 ( 424 made )
An April, 2024, CoinWeek Notes Article includes images and details: https://coinweek.com/national-bicentennial-medal-1976-gold-and-silver-formats/
Thanks for looking. Have a fine Monday.
Here is the 1925 Norse medal. Thick Planchet on the left and the Thin Planchet on the right. There were only 6000 Thin planchets struck Then an additional 33,750 Thick Planchets were struck. Struck at the Philadelphia mint. In February 2020 The Numismatist magazine did a good article article about this Medal.
The Three Manufacturing Functions of the U.S. Mint
*Circulating coin production – the Mint’s primary public role.
*Bullion and numismatic coin production – including commemorative coins and collector editions.
*Special medals for U.S. Government agencies production – medals ordered directly by federal agencies for their own purposes, without legislative approval.
Designed by Frank Gasparro. Manufactured by the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia. Mintage 300. The Kennedy Appreciation Medal was authorized by a White House order for a special Government medal (aka special medals for U.S. government agencies, see Manufacturing Triad below), approved internally, and struck by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia without needing an act of Congress.
The Manufacturing Triad is a researcher‑developed framework that organizes U.S. Mint output into three manufacturing streams, with the third stream focusing on special medals for U.S. government agencies. While not an official Mint term, it is valued in numismatic research for uncovering and structuring a portion of Mint production that is otherwise under‑documented.
The JGW medal Completed Presidential Numismatic Research Framework (PNRF) Level 4 analysis and found to be awarded/gifted by President F. Kennedy during his official visit to Ireland in June 1963.
Comments
1840 Token DeWitt WHH-1840-2 Bronze Bunker Hill
That's a particularly nice example!
You can see that the lettering on the reverse must have been hand-punched, considering that each letter is tilted differently.
You can also very clearly see the center dot that was used to align the rest.
Thats what I liked about it 🙂
I have been putting together a set of these “Philadelphia” medals. There are at least 17 obverse/reverse combinations. I’m about half way there. Sometimes referred to a “mini-assay” medals because the reverses are similar to certain assay medals.
2025 Liberty Silver Medal
Andrew Wyeth Congressional Gold Medal, bronze duplicate.
National Bicentennial Medal - Three Versions - Frank Gasparro Designer - Engraver. Struck at Philadelphia. 1.5" OD. Issue Prices Listed
Bronze $5.00
.925 Sterling Silver $25.00
Gold-plated Bronze $15.00
A 3" Sterling Silver, Antique Finish-- 7.82 troy oz. -- $150.00 was also available.
The USM also struck three gold proof versions:
29/32 " -- .37 troy oz. -- $100.00
1-15/16" -- 1.167 troy oz. -- $400.00
3" - 13.18 troy oz. -- $4,000.00 ( 424 made )
An April, 2024, CoinWeek Notes Article includes images and details:
https://coinweek.com/national-bicentennial-medal-1976-gold-and-silver-formats/
Thanks for looking. Have a fine Monday.
I received the clad super hero set and they look pretty good. Pleasantly surprised.
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan,JWP,dantheman984,olah_in_MA,USMC_6115
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan,JWP,dantheman984,olah_in_MA,USMC_6115
Here is the 1925 Norse medal. Thick Planchet on the left and the Thin Planchet on the right. There were only 6000 Thin planchets struck Then an additional 33,750 Thick Planchets were struck. Struck at the Philadelphia mint. In February 2020 The Numismatist magazine did a good article article about this Medal.
Unique with this finish.
More here on this specimen:
https://privatemintnews.com/articles/so-called-dollars_1882-pennsylvania-bicentennial_hk-139-restrike_unique/
The Three Manufacturing Functions of the U.S. Mint
*Circulating coin production – the Mint’s primary public role.
*Bullion and numismatic coin production – including commemorative coins and collector editions.
*Special medals for U.S. Government agencies production – medals ordered directly by federal agencies for their own purposes, without legislative approval.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career_Intelligence_Medal
1953 marks the establishment of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ability to grant honor awards.
1954 marks the start of the formalized program that tracked and administered these awards.
Redacted for privacy. Note the Frank Gasparro (FG) hallmark below the engraving pad.
A CIA honor award includes a medal box with appropriate ribbon, award certificate, and the medal.
Redacted for privacy.
1909 Lincoln Centennial by Bela Lyon Pratt, designer of the $2½ and $5 Indian gold coins
Jack G. Wood Kennedy Appreciation Medal
Designed by Frank Gasparro. Manufactured by the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia. Mintage 300. The Kennedy Appreciation Medal was authorized by a White House order for a special Government medal (aka special medals for U.S. government agencies, see Manufacturing Triad below), approved internally, and struck by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia without needing an act of Congress.
The Manufacturing Triad is a researcher‑developed framework that organizes U.S. Mint output into three manufacturing streams, with the third stream focusing on special medals for U.S. government agencies. While not an official Mint term, it is valued in numismatic research for uncovering and structuring a portion of Mint production that is otherwise under‑documented.
The JGW medal Completed Presidential Numismatic Research Framework (PNRF) Level 4 analysis and found to be awarded/gifted by President F. Kennedy during his official visit to Ireland in June 1963.
The PNRF is a methodology, not an opinion.
Link to full PNRF findings: https://www.pnrframework.org/post/pnrf-case-study-no-5
Teaser images from the PNRF findings.