SOM#116: Sunrise and Moonrise

SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS ISSUE #116, 1987. 73.2mm. Bronze. Robert Cronbach, Sc. Unc.Original box and descriptive pamphlet. Obv: Reclining nude at sunrise. Rx: Reclining nude at moonrise.

The artist writes, "The use of the seal, the medal, the coins and the sculptured inscribed plaque is almost asold as recorded human history. The great range of styles, techniques and symbols in this field has alwaysinterested me.

My medal is called "Sunrise and Moonrise", or waking and sleeping. Both sides use arecumbent woman; but rely on the internal action and the auxiliary symbols to convey the contrastingmoods of the two faces of the medal. The source of this sculpture is my love for, and frequent use of, thefemale human image as a symbol, a means and an aesthetic tool. I am much more interested in intensity ofvision and freshness of form, rather than in novelty for its own sake. $49.50

1963 Project Mercury Medal

RARE PROJECT MERCURY MEDAL, 1963. 76.3mm. Bronze. Ralph J. Menconi, Sc.(MACO) Nice Uncirculated.

On the obverse are heads of the 7 Mercury astronauts (Carpenter,Cooper & Glenn/ Grissom, Shirra, Sheppard & Slayton.) Below: PROJECT MERCURY.

On thereverse, at left, is the Project Mercury symbol based on the 13 foot stainless steel monument. It isformed from the symbol for Mercury. The numeral 7 in the center represents the original 7 astronauts.

At center is the Atlas space launch vehicle and at right, the inscription: COMMEMORATING. FREEMAN'S/ FIRST ADVENTURE/ BEYOND THE/ ATMOSPHERE. 1958 . 1963.

The 13 foot monument, medals and commemoration event were sponsored by the General DynamicsCorporation. A ceremony was held to honor high NASA officials and the U.S. Air Force where avery limited number of these medals in gold (44mm), silver (44mm) bronze 76mm & 44mm) &Chromium plated Bronze (76mm) were presented.