1915 The Charles P. Daly Medal for Geographical Research. Gold. 70.5 mm. 310.15 grams. 20 karats. By Victor David Brenner. Produced by Tiffany. Smedley-54. Mint State. Obv: Bearded bust of Charles P. Daly facing slightly right with the inscription THE CHARLES P. DALY MEDAL / FOR GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH in incuse letters on the cartwheel border above and below. Signed V. D. Brenner in the right field. Rev: The hand of Providence, holding a flaming torch emerging from heavenly clouds at the left, and a demi-wreath of laurel and palm to the right. Engraved in the space between these elements is the lengthy inscription TO / PAUL VIDAL DE LA BLACHE / PIONEER IN MODERN GEOGRAPHY / SCHOLAR AND EXPLORER / IN THE REALM OF CARTOGRAPHY / FOR / DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIFIC WORK IN THE / REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF FRANCE / FOR / THE ARTISTIC AND ORIGINAL CONCEPTIONS / OF HIS ATLAS / AND FOR / HIGH ACHIEVEMENT IN THE FIELD / OF / HUMAN SERVICE / MCMXV. The broad border that surrounds these elements is inscribed THE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK in incuse lettering. Edge: TIFFANY & CO. 20 KT GOLD. The satiny finish of this medal is nearly flawless, however close inspection will reveal a few light contact marks. A very important and exceedingly rare gold medal by one of Americas most famous numismatic sculptors, Victor David Brenner. Sure to be the highlight of virtually any Brenner collection!Awarded by the American Geographical Society of New York for "valuable or distinguished geographical services or labors" on an occasional basis since 1902. Victor D. Brenner designed the first medal, used until the dies for it were destroyed in 1924, at which time a new design by Brenda Putnam was introduced which is still in use today. Although the medal has been issued 57 times since its inception, only the first 15 utilized the Brenner dies, and not all examples were produced in gold. From the Richard Jewell Collection.
