I have written extensively about collecting plaster models in previous issues of The E-Sylum. But let's first inform ANA's correspondent what medal they have. It was issued by Presidential Art Medals as part of their Space Series. It was indeed by Adlai Hardin (1901-1989) a seasoned sculptor who replaced President's long-time sculptor Ralph Menconi for this one medal. It was struck by Medallic Art Company and is their catalog number 1973-158.

Plaster models are what a sculptor creates from his original model, usually in clay or plastiline. The plaster model is brought to the medallic company which uses it to make a metal shell by the electrogalvanic process. The plaster cannot be used to cut a die, but the metal shell can serve as the pattern to do this. The. metal pattern is oversize, the same as the plaster model. From this dies can be cut any size.

Granted a plaster model is last touched by the hand of the original sculptor, but it is only a means of transporting and providing the required image to the medallic company. It is not permanent, it breaks or chips easily and must be handled very carefully.

Sculptors occasionally cast two of these in plaster, the second they keep in case the first is damaged in transit, an inexpensivve insurance policy. I once directed a team to photograph and place over 600 plasters on specially built racks for the estate of a sculptor.. My team did not break a single one (although we cataloged several that were!). This was reported in E-Sylum April 6, 2008 (vol 11, no 14, art 6)..

I have said in the past plasters are not for beginning collectors. They need to be handled and stored carefully. Thus I don't recommend inexperienced collectors to obtain these. I have observed too many damaged by unknowing individuals. Conversely for seasoned numismatists I have recommended they obtain one plaster and one die to familiarize themselves with the technology of making a coin or medal. For this I have outlined five points in handling and care of plasters, (E-Sylum/ Nov 15, 2015, vol 18 no 46, art 18)

What can be done with a plaster? I recommend framing it behind glass in a shadow box with an attractive color background cloth. Makes an ideal decoration of numismatic interest hanging on your wall.

The most often asked question: what are they worth? Perhaps not what you might expect. A plaster of an important medal might bring over $100, Most far less. It is worth what you consider the cost for an attractive wall piece.

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
SCOVILL MANUFACTURING EMPLOYEES GRAY BUTLER AND EDWARD DAVIS(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v11n14a06.html)
HANDLING AND PRESERVING PLASTER COIN MODELS(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n46a18.html)
SKYLAB PLASTER MODELS FROM SCULPTOR'S ESTATE(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v19n03a18.html)