NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: MARCH 22, 2026

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V29 2026 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 29, Number 12, 2026, Article 17

Numismagram's Jeremy Bostwick sent along these five medals from his most recent upload of new material to his site. For all of the new items, please visit https://www.numismagram.com/inventory. -Garrett

103308 | UNITED STATES & ITALY. Christopher Columbus/"Civilization" bronze Medal. Issued 1892 for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America (102mm, 12h). By Ludovico Pogliaghi & Angelo Cappuccio for Stefano Johnson in Milano.

Central medallion reading CRISTOFORO COLOMBO and with robed bust facing slightly left; around, native princess and Columbia clasping outstretched arms; above, globe focused upon the Western hemisphere; below, eagle perched slightly left, head upturned right, with wings spread; all over wreath composed of palm fronds and laurel branches // The fruits of Columbus's first voyage: Winged personification of Civilization facing slightly left, head right, surrounded by Genii representing Education, Commerce, and Industry; to lower right, native chief, maiden, and two warriors crouching defensively; at a distance, coastline with the U.S. Capitol before rising sun; around, border comprised of alternating stars and state shields.

During the lead-up to the quadricentennial of Columbus's initial contact with the New World, numerous medals were designed and struck, both in the United States—in conjunction with the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago—and abroad—sometimes for this event or for similar others. In this case, the so-called "Civilization" medal was produced commemorating the quatercentenary in Italy by the highly-accomplished medal manufacturer, Stefano Johnson in Milano, and features tremendous relief and intricacy—especially upon its obverse. Rulau mentions that "...this medal is generally considered to be the most beautiful of all Columbian medals." He also writes that "...the Columbus head apparently is an amalgam of design concepts from the Capriolo engraving, Yanez, and Rincon portraits, adapted by Pogliaghi," and that "...a spokesman for Stefano Johnson S.p.a. stated: 'It has received ecominum beyond expectation, being pronounced by the artistic world 'of marvelous art, rare artistic work and perfect in execution.'" That point is fully realized in this exceptionally impressive, ultra-large format.

103117 | GERMANY. Scarcity of Living Space cast bronze Medal. Dated 1921. "Wohnungsnot 1921"—on the scarcity of living space following World War I (59mm, 67.64 g, 12h). By Karl Goetz in München.

WAS–AUCH HIER NOCH EIN / WOHNRAUM? ("what, yet another living room?"), housing inspector standing facing, opening the door to a bathroom; disgruntled family to right // View of the typical living conditions: triple bunk bed, with each lower bunk shared by two individuals; small child sleeps in the drawers of a chest; a baby is sleeping in a wicker basket under the table; the child standing in the center of the room is urinating into a chamber pot. Edge: Some filing marks as made, otherwise plain.

Kienast 280. Choice Mint State. red-brown surfaces, with a charming matte nature.

Following the ravages of World War I, the scarcity of living space allowed for a very small amount of square footage per person, and was enforced by inspectors who would record and utilize any surplus space. During this time, three to four families could be crammed into just one apartment, leading to obvious poor conditions and public outcry.

103390 | UNITED STATES & MEXICO. John F. Kennedy & Abraham Lincoln Silver Medal. Issued 1965 (43mm, 12h). By an unknown artist and of uncertain Mexican manufacture.

PALADIN DE LOS DERECHOS CIVILES / J. F. K., head of Kennedy facing slightly left // LIBERTADOR DE LOS ESCLAVOS / A. LINCOLN, facing head of Lincoln before billowing American flag; below, crossed hands holding up figures of the same man: to left, facing left upon his knees; to right, standing upright facing slightly left.

King K-65-4. PCGS MS-63. Extremely vibrant and brilliant, as well as being immensely blast white and argent. Seemingly a bit conservatively assessed as merely choice mint state. A scarce and impressive Mexican-produced medallic issue for two slain American presidents. Serially numbered 421.

Assassinated nearly a century apart, presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy have been linked in various other ways, from intriguing trivia such as both being succeeded by Johnsons (Andrew and Lyndon, respectively) and having secretaries with the other's surname, to more consequential aspects such as their concern for human rights. It is the latter point which is the focus of this commemorative medal issued in Mexico, which celebrates Lincoln as the great emancipator and Kennedy as the champion of civil rights.

103357 | ITALY, FINLAND & SWEDEN. Leonardo da Vinci three-piece bronze Medal. Issued 1974 for the 455th anniversary of the death of the High Renaissance polymath (59mm, 336.8 g, 12h). By Kauko Räsänen for Sporrong in Norrtälje.

Top piece, obverse: LEONARDO DA VINCI, fourfold face of an older da Vinci, borrowed from a self-portrait, with movement from left to right showing an increasingly open mouth and angrily widening and narrowing of the eyes // Top piece, reverse: The position of man in the cosmos: Incuse square, astronaut standing facing, with face partially hidden and with arms outstretched in the style of da Vinci's Vitruvian Man; to left, small sphere containing smaller figure with arms similarly outstretched. /// Middle piece, obverse: Raised square, with da Vinci gazing to right, showing increasingly smaller reflections as one moves inward—a symbol of his enduring legacy // Middle piece, reverse: Raised square, with da Vinci's architectural designs and inventions: glider spiral (helicopter), parachute, repeating cannon (machine gun), armored car, waterwheel, submarine, diving suit, etc., with his birth year (1452) and death year (1519) in field to left and right, respectively. /// Bottom piece, obverse: Horse galloping left, with nude male rider looking right—a paraphrase of the equestrian monument planned and sketched by da Vinci for Duke Francesco Sforza // Bottom piece, reverse: Incuse square featuring facing female head modeled after the Mona Lisa, with her skull superimposed to and facing left—a symbol of the transience of life. Edge: 0726•5000 / SPORRONG.

Hackl & Klose 63. As Made. Deep brown surfaces, with some lighter hues in the recesses. An extraordinary work of modern medallic art in triplicate.

The very definition of a Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci excelled in seemingly all aspects, with this complex, three-part medal by Räsänen capturing many of those important areas.

103482 | UNITED STATES. Uriah P. Levy bronze Medal. Issued 1988. Jewish-American Hall of Fame series: commemorating the first Jewish Commodore of the United States Navy (46mm x 44mm, 55.31 g, 12h). By Hal Reed for the Medallic Art Co.

COMMODORE URIAH P LEVY • 1792 • 1862, bust facing slightly left in naval attire; scroll (mentioning Levy's anti-flogging bill), ship, and banner in background // Perspective exterior view of Monticello; facsimile of Th. Jefferson's signature above, Monticello in script below. Edge: MAGNES MUSEUM / 9 / MACO-BRONZE.

JAHF 20. Choice Mint State. Glossy pale-bronze surfaces, with some darker antiqued hues in the recesses. Serially numbered 9 of 350.

Though serving as the first Jewish Commodore of the United States Navy later in life, Uriah Levy faced numerous earlier courts-martial instigated solely upon his Jewish faith. One of his proudest achievements was securing enough support for the abolishment of the barbaric punishment in the U.S. Navy known as flogging. Another important act for which Levy is greatly known connects him with Thomas Jefferson, of whom he was a great admirer. Following Jefferson's death in 1826, his estate (Monticello and the surrounding grounds) had fallen into severe disrepair. Levy purchased the estate, funded renovations, and even expanded upon the existing land. After Levy's death in 1862, the grounds were dedicated to the American people, and Jefferson's home remains what it is today thanks to the vision and funding of Levy.