The Society of Medalists: America's Great Art-Medal Series

What Was the Society of Medalists?

The Society of Medalists was a subscription art-medal series that let members receive original medals designed by prominent American sculptors. An art medal is a metal piece made as a work of art or to mark a subject, rather than a coin (government money with a face value) or a token (a money substitute), so it carries no denomination and was never meant to circulate.

The idea was straightforward. Subscribers paid in advance and, twice a year, received a newly commissioned medal along with a note from the artist explaining the design. That model gave sculptors a working outlet for medallic art and gave collectors a steady supply of new work at a predictable price. For broader context on the field, see our guide to collecting medals.

Who Founded It, and When?

The Society of Medalists was founded in 1929/1930 by Clyde Curlee Trees and George Dupont Pratt. Trees owned the Medallic Art Company (often abbreviated MACO), the foremost American private maker of art medals, and Pratt was a collector and patron of the sculptural arts.

Their goal was to raise the standard of American medallic art and to build an audience for it. By pairing MACO's striking capacity with a subscription list, they created a durable business model that outlasted both founders and became the longest-running series of its kind in the United States.

How Long Did the Series Run?

The series ran from 1930 to 1995, a span of about 65 years. Over that time it produced roughly 134 regular issues, or about 139 counting special issues, generally at a rate of two per year.

All of the medals were struck by the Medallic Art Company. The vast majority are bronze; two issues released during World War II were struck in silver. Rising production costs and softening collector interest eventually brought the program to a close in 1995. That longevity, and the roster of sculptors it attracted, are why the Society of Medalists is often called the most successful American art-medal series. For a concise history and issue list, see the Society of Medalists entry on Wikipedia.

What Defines a Society of Medalists Issue?

A Society of Medalists issue is a high-relief medal, almost always in bronze, struck by the Medallic Art Company and released as part of the numbered subscription series. High relief means the design is raised well above the field, which gives these medals a sculptural depth that flat coins do not have.

The table below summarizes the core traits collectors use to recognize the series. Individual issues vary, so always confirm details against a specialist reference or a graded example.

How Are the Issues Numbered and Identified?

Society of Medalists issues are identified by their sequential issue number, the sculptor who designed them, and marks on the edge. The issue number is the primary reference point, and collectors typically describe a piece by its number and artist together.

The edge often carries useful information. Medallic Art Company medals usually bear an edge hallmark such as MEDALLIC ART CO. (with variants that can help date a piece), and many Society issues also show an edge number or serial detail. Reading the edge, the sculptor's initials, and the design together is the surest way to attribute an issue. Because the maker is central to the series, our Medallic Art Company guide covers those hallmarks in more depth.

Condition, Metal, and Care

Most Society of Medalists issues are bronze, and bronze develops a natural patina over time, so condition and originality of surface both matter. Third-party graders such as PCGS and NGC grade many medals on the 70-point scale and add color designations for bronze: BN for brown, RB for red-brown, and RD for red. Many collectors also keep these medals raw (ungraded).

Because the metal is soft and the relief is high, the raised points are where wear and handling marks show first. Handle medals by the edge, avoid cleaning or polishing (which removes original surface and value), and store them so they do not rub against one another. For storage methods that protect patina, see our guide to storing coins, which applies equally to medals.

What Are Society of Medalists Medals Worth?

Values vary widely by issue, design, and condition, so treat any figure as a starting range rather than a fixed price. As a general pattern, common bronze issues trade modestly, often in the low tens of dollars, while sought-after designs, early issues, and the two silver issues command more.

Consider a simple worked example. A collector inherits a group of a dozen Society of Medalists bronzes. Most are common issues that might each be worth a modest sum, but one turns out to be a scarcer, well-regarded design in original condition, and that single medal can be worth several times the others combined. The lesson is that the artist and issue drive value more than the count of pieces. To turn a group into current numbers, get pieces attributed and appraised, then compare recent sales. Our overview of how coin and medal prices are determined explains the factors at work.

How to Start Collecting the Series

The most reliable way to start is to buy a few common issues you like, learn to read the edge and attribute the design, then decide whether to collect by sculptor, by theme, or to build a run by issue number. Because so many issues are affordable, the series rewards patient, selective buying over rushing to complete a set.

Buy from sellers who describe the issue number, sculptor, metal, and edge marks clearly, and ask about condition and any cleaning. A local shop can be a good place to handle medals in person before you commit; browse the Tokens and Medals directory, collectibles shops, and nearby coin shops on TheCoinHQ. If you also like series struck by the same maker, the Hall of Fame for Great Americans medals are a natural companion collection.

To go deeper, the Medal Collectors of America publishes collector guides on the series, and the American Numismatic Association offers exhibits and educational resources on American art medals.