The Kennedy Appreciation Medal posted by DrDarryl

[CSJournals-migration]

Medal with a Presidential provenance...

 

Second hand knowledge from auction houses provide conflicting information of when the Kennedy Appreciation Medal was struck (1961 or 1963). Never the less, it was struck while John F. Kennedy was President and before his tragic assassination.

 

 

I am still performing research on the Kennedy appreciation medal. If you have any original source information (US Mint or White House) or good leads, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

 

To the best of my knowledge, only one catalog reference (K-62-I) is made (The Medallic Portraits of John F. Kennedy, by Edward C. Rochette, 1966) to the medal. Mr. Edward C. Rochette is a former Executive Director and ANA Past President.

 

The image is of an original medal recently added to my "Presidential with appreciation medal collection".

 

No restrikes were ever made by the US Mint of this medal. The concept of the presidential "with appreciation medal" is that at the discretion of the President, he presents the medal to an individual in thankful recognition.

 

It is my opinion that the reserve design of the President Kennedy appreciation medal was used as the basis for developing the reverse of the Kennedy Half-Dollar.

 

Previously written historical information lays claim that the John F. Kennedy presidential series medal (US Mint Inauguration medal for President Kennedy) was the basis for both the obverse and reverse designs. I see the connection with the obverse design; however, the reverse design is too small and the intricate details are not simply there.

 

The intricate details of the reverse design on the Kennedy appreciation medal can be clearly seen on the Kennedy Half-Dollar. The Kennedy appreciation medal was also designed and struck before President Kennedy's assassination.

 

There is one piece of information that backs my belief. The reverse of the Kennedy appreciation medal is by Frank Gasparro. His" FG" initials are also placed in similar locations on both the appreciation medal and the half-dollar coin.

 

The Presidential Appreciation Medal Series is not a well-documented series. It is both challenging and rewarding. The challenge is to locate the source information and document it well. The reward is being the first to uncover new information and sharing it. Besides, these medals are a part of US history, not simply a coin or medal to commemorate an event or person. These medals was actually created for exclusive use by the President.

 

Note: If you read my previous journal entries, I uncovered the Eisenhower Appreciation medal series and documented all 17 medals. I still have yet to provide NGC or PCGS a reference copy and will do so shortly. The book is available on both amazon.com and createspace.com (search the title: The Dwight D. Eisenhower Appreciation Medals).

 

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[Six Mile Rick]

Nice Piece!!

I don't collect tokens or medals but get them once in a while when I buy batches of coins. I usually pass the better tokens on to wdrob -- a great friend (thumbs u I have here in the club that collects odd rarities.

[RichH]

Very impressive medal DrDarryl, probably pretty heavy, do you have a weight for it?

 

Also, you didn't reference the obverse designer but I assume Frank Gasparro , only because I see no obv initials ? Was it Gasparro or possibly Gilroy Roberts or someone else ?

 

Cheers !

 

Rich

[DrDarryl]

I finally received a copy of the book: The Medallic Portraits of John F. Kennedy and updated my journal entry (please re-read @ MEMBER JOURNAL ENTRY)

 

The book is Interesting. It lists "Kennediana" numismatic items from 1960 - 1966.

 

Both the obverse and reverse designs are by Frank Gasporro. On the obverse, F. GASPARRO can bee seen on the President's right shoulder. I will blow it up with my microscope and provide an image.

 

As for the weight, it's 51 grams.

 

 

 

 

[Walkerfan]

Nice medal!! And I enjoyed the write-up.