Commems Collection Medals: What If? 1969 American Legion 50th Anniversary - Part II / The Medal

You can find the first part of this story here: What If? 1969 American Legion 50th Anniversary - Part I / Background


With approval in hand for a national medal - and a Public Law that allowed for medals of "such size or sizes and of such various metals as shall be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the American Legion" - the American Legion decided not to engage the US Mint for its medal, choosing instead to employ Medallic Art Company (MACO). A variety of options were available:

1. 50th Anniversary Plaque - A walnut plaque with uniface obverse and reverse 3-inch medals attached along with a plate for engraving: $40.00 plus engraving fees.

2. Silver Medallion - 2-1/2" in diameter, 0.999 fine silver, Limited mintage of 1,000: $35.00.

3. Silver Collectors Medal - 1-1/2" in diameter, 0.999 fine silver, Mintage of 20,000.

Note: The silver medals are serially-numbered on edge.

4. Bronze Medallion - 2-1/2" in diameter, No mintage limit: $4.00.

5. Bronze Collectors Medal - 1-1/2" in diameter, No mintage limit: $1.50.

6. Hanging Medal - Bronze, 1-1/2" in diameter, Suspended on American Legion Ribbon: $1.95

1969 American Legion 50th Anniversary Medal - Bronze, 2-1/2"

(Not my prettiest example, but the one most easily accessible for a scan!)

The medal's obverse presents an American Bald Eagle standing on an olive branch with outstretched wings and the American Legion emblem superimposed on its chest. On a scroll extending from the eagle's beak is the inscription "E PLRUIBUS UNUM" ("From Many, One") At the bottom of the design is found the commemorative inscription "50th ANNIVERSARY".

The reverse is dominated by the multi-line inscription "FIFTY YEARS / FOR / GOD / AND / COUNTRY / 1919 - 1969" in the foreground. Behind the inscription is seen a wreath mounted on a sword which has a curling ribbon extending from it on both sides. The sword represents power and protection, while the wreath represents victory (dating to WW I).

I pursued examples of each medal for my collection, as they held a special meaning for me. in the mid-1970s, I received the American Legion School Award medal from one of my local American Legion chapters. (I'll have to dig it out and post an image.)


For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including other What If? stories, see: Commems Collection.