About This Databank
THIS IS A LIST of the coins, medals and similar items by American artists. It is an attempt to include every American artist who created such small relief objects. Unfortunately such a list can never be completed. It is impossible to accomplish such a goal because not all the creators of these American numismatic items are known.
An attempt has been made, however, to identify every signature – initials, monograms or symbols – on these miniature works of glyptic art and to identify the artist or artists who created them. Most United States coins are signed, and their artists are well known. Unfortunately that is not the case for medals and tokens where perhaps less than twenty percent are signed.
For those items that are unsigned, diligent research can occasionally reveal their creators. The records of the artists themselves, the companies that manufactured them, numismatic catalogs, museum records, and the publication of these items when they were first made or offered to a public have all been searched to disclose the artists who both signed and did not sign their miniature bas-relief work.
One numismatic researcher, Wesley Cox as reported by Russell Rulau, even studied magnified photographs of letters to identify what diesinker's punches were used to made early tokens and medals. The tiny surface characteristics of these letter punches became ersatz signatures for their user even when they did not sign the die.
The numismatic and medallic relief objects listed herein identify their originator, be it a well-known artist or an obscure engraver. Obviously those items that are undocumented – and their creators continue to remain unknown – are not included. (Oh, if by some miracle they could be revealed!)
In addition to the work of American artists, the works of a few foreign artists are included. The coins and medals of American interest – American themes on any "Americana" topic, or the work for American clients – are included in this list. Numerous medals from the Paris Mint are examples of these foreign items, as are the works of foreign artists who created items for the Columbian Exposition of the 19th century, John F. Kennedy medals in the nineteen sixties, and medals struck all over the world honoring American space achievements in the later 20th century.
Further examples: foreign explorers that came to American lands are included. Foreign ships and shiplines which dock in America are included. Airlines which land in America are included. This rather cosmopolitan concept has broadened our web of items to be classed as "American." As a numismatist, the criteria is always: “If you were a collector of Americana would you include this item in your collection?” If the answer is yes, the item is included.
All artists are listed alphabetically by name, with dates, original nationality (if not born in America) and professions (when known). Useful biographic information, particularly place and date of birth and death, is given – this is vitally important data to place each artist in congruency with their creation – as well as city and state of residence (if considered important). Other details of the artist's life pertinent to their coin and medal creations are also included.
Wanted: American Artists Not Listed
The compiler welcomes documented lists of American artists that are not included in this edition (and unlisted work of artists)! To make future listings even more complete we welcome such accurate listings that have not been included in this listing.
This task will never end. This will be an ever expanding databank. New coins and medals are being created every year (even every day!). The identity of their creators should not be lost to art and numismatic history as has happened so often in the past. Future numismatists and art historians deserve this information.
To submit this data, please contact us.
This task will never end. This will be an ever expanding databank. New coins and medals are being created every year (even every day!). The identity of their creators should not be lost to art and numismatic history as has happened so often in the past. Future numismatists and art historians deserve this information.
To submit this data, please contact us.
Corrections Also Wanted
The human task of recording an estimated 3.3 million bits of data in this work gives ample opportunity for errors to occur. The compiler welcomes all corrections in dates, spellings, and citations. While assigning names to every item may be somewhat conjectural and arbitrary by the author, if any reader has a suggested change in the name of any item, this would be considered as well.