1961 Large Bronze Medal New York Public Library 50th Anniversary Leonard Baskin
Description: A nice large and heavy bronze medal from 1961. The medal commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the New York Public Library. The obverse of the medal depicts a double-faced head with elderly bearded figure looking to the left downward, which represents the learning and wisdom of the past and a young man's face facing right and looking upward representing hope through his aspiration to knowledge. There is the legend EX SCIENTIA SPES (from knowledge, hope) above the image. The reverse depicts two classical columns through with a shinning sun between them representing pure learning and applied learning, garlands representing the fruits of knowledge with the legend THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 1961 below the image. According to the artist this iconography suggests that the library represents "a gateway to light and learning". The medal was designed by Leonard Baskin and made by the Medallic Art Co. of New York. The medal has a dark brown surface finish and has a plain rim. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: 1961.
Origin: New York, USA.
Artist: Leonard Baskin.
Weight and Size: The medal weighs ~101.5 grams, is ~63.5 millimeters in diameter, and ~3 millimeters thick at the edge.
Reference: Yale University Art Gallery accession number 2001.87.2946.
Maker: Medallic Art Company of New York.
Marks: Unmarked Condition: I would grade the medal as about uncirculated. The medal has a dark brown finish. It shows some surface wear of the finish but very little wear to the design. The medal has minimum wear with minimum surface marks or scratches. It has a fairly dark brown coloring making it a bit difficult to discern. All in all, this is a nice medal with a very interesting design commemorating an important event in New York. It is a nice medal that is problem free making it a worthy addition to your collection. Please view photos for additional condition information.
