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

Books on Coins

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

The 2003 Alabama State Quarter obverse shows Helen Keller with a book in her lap. Theillustration 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 isa 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 lefthand, but this is not correct. The object is actually a tablet so these are not books on coins.

American Numismatic Association

The ANA logo has been the "Lamp of Knowledge" placed on a book. This appears on many ofthe ANA medals. The design has changed over the years. On the more recent versions the bookis 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 thatcan 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 thecenter. This was issued about 1851.

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

The George Kolbe Patrick Mint token, shown in The E-Sylum on July 20, is also a booksellertoken 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 ismore 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 TheU. S. Mint feature Bibles.

The Ulysses S. Grant Indian Peace Medal (Julian IP-42) has part of a "Holy Bible" showing onthe 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 thefront.

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 imageon the internet. I suspect that I have missed things but also suspect that images of books ontokens are unusual.

Collecting Books on Coins and Medals
I suspect that attempting to collect examples of books on coins and medals would be challengingand frustrating. Do you want books that look like books, or will you accept book logos? Do youwant medals struck for a purpose, or will you accept stock medals engraved for presentation. Isuspect 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 collectionthat illustrated an author, books and a library. The black in the image is a proof surface. I knowwhat this is but offer it to our readers to identify.

To read the Token Catalog entry, see:
https://tokencatalog.com/token_record_forms.php?action=DisplayTokenRecord&td_id=457743&inventory_id=487669&attribution_id=470727(https://tokencatalog.com/token_record_forms.php?action=DisplayTokenRecord&td_id=457743&inventory_id=487669&attribution_id=470727)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
LITERARY DEPOT LOGO(https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v07n09a08.html)
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: AUGUST 3, 2025 : Authors, Books or Libraries on Coins, Etc.(https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n31a12.html)
AUTHORS ON COINS AND MEDALS(https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n32a15.html)