BOOKS ON COINS, MEDALS AND TOKENS

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V28 2025 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 28, Number 33, 2025, Article 17

E-Sylum Feature Writer and American Numismatic Biographies author Pete Smith submitted this article on books on coins, medals and tokens. Thanks! -Editor

As discussed last week, authors appear frequently on coins and medals. The same is not true for books. The medal shown last week with the cover of the "Red Book" may be unique in showing the title of a book on a medal. Books, when shown, represent a generic book or a book logo rather than a specific book.

The 2000 Library of Congress Dollar features an unusual flying book. This was produced in a regular finish and proof finish.

The 2003 Alabama State Quarter obverse shows Helen Keller with a book in her lap. The illustration is not so much a book as a person reading a book. Available in UNC and Proof.

The 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial silver dollar has a bookshelf on the reverse, Again, there is a person reading a book. Available in UNC and Proof.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty appears on many coins. She may be described as holding a book in her left hand, but this is not correct. The object is actually a tablet so these are not books on coins.

The ANA logo has been the "Lamp of Knowledge" placed on a book. This appears on many of the ANA medals. The design has changed over the years. On the more recent versions the book is so abstract it might not be recognized as a book.

There are many other stock award medals with books and lamps sold without an inscription that can be engraved for presentation.

Books on Store cards
While these may be thought to be tokens, they lack a stated value.

R. C. Barcley of Norfolk, Virginia, issued a bookseller store card with an open book in the center. This was issued about 1851.

C. C. Cleaves of Memphis, Tennessee, issued a bookseller store card. The reverse shows a small stack of books. Unlike the others, this has books that look like books. The store was in business around 1852.

The George Kolbe Patrick Mint token, shown in The E-Sylum on July 20, is also a bookseller token that does not have a redemption value.

Books on Medals

The John Newbery Medal is awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), The bronze medal was designed by Rene Paul Chamberlian. The National Book Award is presented by the National Book Foundation. The illustration is more of a logo than an actual book.

Bibles on Medals
The Bible is a specific book with the title appearing on the medal. Several medals struck at The U. S. Mint feature Bibles.

The Ulysses S. Grant Indian Peace Medal (Julian IP-42) has part of a "Holy Bible" showing on the reverse behind a globe.

The Iowa College School Medal (Julian SC-25) has a "Holy Bible" and cross on the front.

The Pennsylvania First District School Medal (Julian SC-34) has an open "Holy Bible" on the front.

There are many stock medals with a Bible and cross that may be engraved for presentation.

Books on tokens
I was unable to think of a book on a token in my collection. I was also unable to find an image on the internet. I suspect that I have missed things but also suspect that images of books on tokens are unusual.

Collecting Books on Coins and Medals
I suspect that attempting to collect examples of books on coins and medals would be challenging and frustrating. Do you want books that look like books, or will you accept book logos? Do you want medals struck for a purpose, or will you accept stock medals engraved for presentation. I suspect the book award medals do not appear frequently on the secondary market.

I would be interested to hear from any collector who has had success forming a collection.

I thought this article was finished and I moved on to the next. I found a medal in my collection that illustrated an author, books and a library. The black in the image is a proof surface. I know what this is but offer it to our readers to identify.

A very thoughtful pose. Can anyone identify the subject or medal?

I can think of one token - Morse's Literary Depot, an 1850s piece from Pittsburgh, PA (Miller PA-590). -Editor