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World War I, Visit of Our Allies and Their Guard of Honor - 1917 - Veteran Corps of Artillery of NY
These medals were by Thomas L. Elder (see Part III for Elder biographical sketch). On. Feb. 1, 1917 Germany began unrestricted submarine warfare; next day United States severed diplomatic relations and on April 6 declared that state of war existed with Germany. Following month or on May 9, Marshall Joffre of France and Hon. A. J. Bolfour of Great Britain, each accompanied by distinguished staff, visited President Wilson to expedite war effort. Their arrival in New York en route to Washington was festive occasion.
Hardly had our entry into war been announced when Elder, intensely loyal to everything American and then age 40 promptly joined Veteran Corps of Artillery of New York, originally organized 1790. Seldom requiring much, if any, inspiration to strike new medals, Elder seized opportunity to produce these particular issues. For obverse of both he used Confederation vignette which appears on $40 bills issued by Continental Congress, 1778-1779. All Elder issues were limited and these medals extremely so; even Aluminum is quite scarce.
VISIT OF OUR ALLIES
Obverse: Confederation on ribbon around lower border; clouds around upper border; below clouds an all-seeing eye casts rays down upon flaming altar; around altar are 13 eight- pointed stars; beaded border.
Reverse: Across in 8 lines, with small scroll at top, M. Rene Viviani, / Marshall Joffre, / Vice-Admiral Chocheprat, / Hon. A. J. Balfour, / Maj. Gen. Bridges, / Vice-Admiral De Chair, / Lord Cunliffe. / 1917; border legend * Struck to Commemorate the Visit to the United States of Officials of Our Allies; beaded border.
HK-435 - Silver, thin planchet. Size 24.
HK-436 - Copper, regular planchet.
HK-437 - Brass.
HK-438 - Nickel-silver.
HK-439 - White Metal.
HK-440 - Aluminum.
HK-441 - Lead.
 
Image provided by John Dean
VETERAN CORPS OF ARTILLERY
Obverse: Same as above obverse.
Reverse: At upper border, around The Veteran Corps of Artillery of New York; across Acted as / Guard of Honor / —to— / Marshall Joffre / and the French Officials / on May 9th! / and the Hon. A. J. Balfour / and the English Officials / on May 11th / 1917 / around at City Hall, New York; beaded border.
HK-442 - Silver, thin planchet. Size 24.
HK-443 - Copper, regular planchet.
HK-444 - Brass.
HK-445 - Nickel-silver.
HK-446 - White Metal.
HK-447 - Aluminum.
HK-448 - Brownish Red Fiber.
HK-448a - Oreide.
HK-448b - Lead.
 
Image provided by John Dean
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