Brookgreen Gardens
by Richard McDermott Miller
The Brookgreen Gardens medals are somewhat of an afterthought of a wonderful organization that deals primarily with sculpture and nature, particularly sculpture in nature. Brookgreen Gardens is a magical place that combines nature and sculpture to create a unique environment.
Its roots go back to 1931 when Archer Milton Huntington, a well-known philanthropist and benefactor of the American Numismatic Society, and his famous sculptor-medallist wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington, acquired four tracts of adjacent lands. They started commissioning and installing sculpture and opened the grounds to the public in 1937.
With Anna Hyatt Huntington's background as a medalist it is somewhat surprising that the fledgling organization did not immediately issue medals. It took till 1945 before Gertrude Lathrop created a medal for Brookgreen Gardens. An almost thirty year hiatus followed before the next medal was issued in 1973. The sculptor-president of the Gardens, Carl Paul Jennewein, took it upon himself to create a similar medal that bore the conjoined portraits of the Huntingtons, and the Fighting Stallions. They are somewhat of a symbol for the Gardens because Anna Hyatt Huntington herself created the massive bronze located at the Gardens entrance.
It took the intersection of Brookgreen Gardens and the Society of Medalists in the person of Joseph Veitch Noble to create a regular medal program. He was both the president of Brookgreen Gardens and the executive director of the Society of Medalists and he saw an untapped potential at Brookgreen Gardens. Under his tenure, membership was increased to $250 a year but with the higher fee came a member medal which referenced the unique institution. This annual medal program is still going strong today and ended up surviving its older and better known cousin, the Society of Medalists.
Collecting Brookgreen Gardens
For the collector, the Brookgreen Gardens series is very attractive for many reasons:
- The medals are highly appealing and very decorative. Many are represented in museum and college collections.
- The medals typically trade in the $150 to $600 price range.
- There is a reasonable amount of trading at almost all times, so it won't take you forever to build or dispose of your collection by dealer or auction.
- The medals have held their value well over time and you can buy newly issued ones by becoming a member of Brookgreen Gardens.
But most of all, the medals are really enjoyable and that's of course the only reason you should collect them. If you hold them for a long time, they probably won't be a bad investment either.
Next Steps
- Take a look at all the medals in the other tabs of this page. The Medals tab leads to a pretty long list medal images and descriptions.
- Contact me if you are interested in buying or selling medals or want to help me improve the site. I am always interested in buying to complete or improve my own collection. Sometimes I have duplicates that I would be willing to sell. If you cannot or will not sell medals that I still need, at least share your high-quality pictures so I can complete the display section. If I don't have a picture for a medal, I don't have the medal in my collection and I would be interested in buying it.
- Check out the links in the Resources tab.
- Support this site with a small donation if you appreciate it as a resource and want to help me with hosting and bandwidth costs.
The list below contains the descriptions of all Brookgreen Gardens medals and images of the issues that I have managed to collect so far. Click or tap medal images to show the other side. Please offer me missing medals for sale or send me high resolution images for the ones that are currently showing as question marks.
This was the first of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals issued in 1973.
The obverse bears conjoined busts of Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband Archer M. Huntington facing right. Above, AMICI - HVMANI - GENERIS; below, ARCHER M. HUNTINGTON / ANNA HYATT HUNTINGTON
The reverse bears Anna Hyatt Huntington's Fighting Stallions sculpture, one rider hanging on to mane of his steed, the other about to be trampled under his horse's hooves. In exergue, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS; at lower right, ANNA HYATT / HUNTINGTON
Carl Paul Jennewein was a sculptor, trustee and chairman at Brookgreen Gardens and designed the first issue in the member medal series.
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the second of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1974.
The obverse bears reclining stag before flowering plants. Signed in exergue at right, G K LATHROP
The reverse bears bird, possibly a crossbill, perched on cone, working to extract seeds from it. Around, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the third of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1975.
The obverse bears bust of Theodosia Burr Alston, l. Above and below, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS; on left, THEODOSIA / BURR / ALSTON; on right, 1783 / 1813 / (RAW monogram)
The reverse bears wreath held on left and right by two winged putte. Above, BORN / IN ALBANY / NEW YORK; below, LOST / AT SEA; inside wreath, MARRIED / TO / JOSEPH ALSTON / IN 1801 / HIS PLANTATION / "THE OAKS" / IS NOW A PART OF / BROOKGREEN / GARDENS
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the fourth of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in the United States' bicentennial year, 1976.
The obverse bears General George Washington kneeling in prayer, horse behind; above, thirteen stars in circle. Around, TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; in exergue, 1776 - 1976; signed above exergue at right, J. KISELEWSKI
The reverse bears scene from Brookgreen Gardens, live oaks and sculpture with pathways. At bottom, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the fifth of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1977.
The obverse bears a gazelle in dynamic pose, front legs in air and neck arched backwards. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; below, SOUTH CAROLINA
The reverse bears Carolina wren in dense rhododendron foliage.
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the sixth of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1978.
The obverse bears seated sculptor modeling in clay Diana as goddess of night. In exergue, BROOKGREEN GARDENS / SOUTH CAROLINA
The reverse bears kneeling sculptor carving Apollo in stone. In exergue, D DeLUE / SC © 78
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the seventh of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1979.
The obverse bears a great blue heron poised on one leg holds a fish on its back. Below, an alligator in the tidal marsh curving its body toward an unsuspecting bullfrog which in turn is about to pounce on a flying insect. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS
The reverse bears mythical winged horse, Pegasus, swooping down from the heavens with a frisky winged colt at its side.
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the eighth of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1980.
The obverse bears a a fox in the process of catching swamp snake in front of marsh vegetation. Above, SOUTH CAROLINA; in exergue, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS / G. W. CARTER / © 1980
The reverse bears figure of Francis Marion on horseback. Above, FRANCIS MARION; under hooves, 1732 - 1795
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the nineth of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1981.
The obverse bears allegorical figure symbolizing the art of sculpture framed by yellow jessamine and Carolina wrens. Above, 50TH ANNIVERSARY; to left and right, 1931 - 1981; below, BROOKGREEN GARDENS IS A QUIET / JOINING OF HANDS BETWEEN SCIENCE & ART
The reverse bears American eagle along with palmettos and live oaks, the former being South Carolina's state tree and the latter a symbol of the State. Above, CONSERVING NATURE; below, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the tenth of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1982.
The obverse bears Pygmalion, a legendary king of Cyprus, who carved the figure of a beautiful maiden and immediately fell in love with it. Around, PYGMALION AND GALATEA; in exergue, KAREN (crossed mallets) WORTH.
The reverse bears Orpheus who was celebrated in Greek Literature as the outstanding poet of his age. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS (flower) SOUTH CAROLINA; in exergue, ORPHEUS
Karen Worth created a beautiful medal that represents Brookgreen Gardens like few others. The obverse captures the exact moment when the statue comes alive, representing the merging of sculpture and nature. The reverse depicts a great poet surrounded by native South Carolina wildlife, again expressing how nature and art are combined by Brookgreen Gardens.
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the eleventh of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1983.
The obverse bears William and Rachel Allston walking in front of their Brookgreen Plantation home. Above, 1739 - WILLIAM ALLSTON - 1781 / PLANTATION OWNER; in exergue, BROOKGREEN GARDENS / SOUTH CAROLINA
The reverse bears Washington Allston seated at his easel, pallette and brush in hand. Around, 1779 WASHINGTON ALLSTON 1843 - DISTINGUISHED PAINTER
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the twelfth of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1984.
The obverse bears a beach scene featuring many different palms and palmettos. In top left quadrant, SOUTH / CAROLINA
The reverse bears a racoon crossing a log in the forest. At bottom, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS / CHESTER MARTIN
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 13th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1985.
The obverse bears Pegasus rearing with her wings up around her body. Around, on wing, BROOKGREEN GARDENS - SOUTH CAROLINA
The reverse bears idealized sculptor carving Pegasus' face with a chisel. At Pegasus mouth, (stylized signature JOV)
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 14th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1986.
The obverse bears centaur with carving tools. Around, BROOKGREEN GARDENS
The reverse bears four flute-playing centaurs riding left on dark-patinated upper field; beneath their hooves, SOUTH CAROLINA. Lower field showing incuse reflection of upper field with reverse patination.
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 15th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1987.
The obverse bears reclining satyr eating grapes , syrinx in left hand. Around, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; signed at lower right.
The reverse bears animals and plants native to Southeast: deer, bobcat, two foxes, three ducks, magnolia, cypress, moss. At bottom, SOUTH CAROLINA
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 16th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1988.
The obverse bears sculptor sitting at feet of sculpture of nude female in sculpture garden; hole in upper left quadrant with sun rays emanating from it. At lower left and right, BROOKGREEN GARDENS - SOUTH CAROLINA
The reverse depicts sculptor's hands around nude statue, facing away; scenes from artist's studio; hole in upper left quadrant worked into studio light, with rays emanating from it. Signed vertically on statue's base, SHAGIN
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 17th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1989.
The obverse bears apple tree with male and female bodies cleverly worked into trunk. Along bottom left and right, BROOKGREEN GARDENS - SOUTH CAROLINA; signed near top at right, Marika '88.
The reverse bears nude male, back turned on left half, nude female facing, holding apple across divide; entire side styled as apple cut in half.
The medal's edge is marked MACO CU.
The apple-shaped medal measures 82mm x 75mm and was struck in copper by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 18th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1990.
The obverse bears sculptors hands holding modeling tool, deer seemingly jumping in between. At bottom, SOUTH CAROLINA / BROOKGREEN GARDENS; signed at left with (PV monogram)
The reverse depicts stag, doe, and fawn in forest scene.
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 19th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1991.
The obverse bears hermit crab shell with crab's claws emerging from bottom left and right. In shell's spiral, SOUTH CAROLINA / BROOKGREEN GARDENS At bottom, SOUTH CAROLINA / BROOKGREEN GARDENS; signed at left with (PV monogram)
The reverse depicts hermit crab within the shell.
This irregularly shaped medal measures 73mm x 70mm and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 20th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1992.
The obverse bears a seated sculptor, tools at his feet, staring at large rock, muse or vision above in clouds. On rock, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS / SOUTH CAROLINA; signed at bottom left, JS Sc
The reverse bears same sculptor, standing, tools in hand, envisioned statue of nude female in place of raw rock.
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 21st of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1993.
The obverse bears faun playing flute for nymphs. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; below, SOUTH CAROLINA
The reverse bears Pygmalion and Galatea before stylized clouds. Signed at bottom right.
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 22nd of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1994.
The obverse bears settler in wild forest kneeling, studying footprint. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; signed at bottom right, E L DAUB
The reverse bears settler before shore scene with pinnace and large ship in background. Above, SOUTH CAROLINA
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 23rd of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1995.
The obverse bears child sitting on wall. Signed at right above wall, PARKS
The reverse depicts female sculptor modeling a sitting child. At left, SOUTH / CAROLINA; at right, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 24th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1996.
The obverse bears female sculptor on left side working on bust resembling herself; nude model resembling her on right. Around, BROOKGREEN GARDENS - SOUTH CAROLINA
The reverse depicts male painter tracing outline of his face on large canvas. Around, EACH ARTIST'S WORK / REVEALS A SELFPORTRAIT
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 25th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1997.
The obverse bears raccoon mother tending to baby raccoon in tree. Around, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS
The reverse depicts mother egret with two baby egrets in nest; two egrets flying in marsh background. Below, SOUTH CAROLINA
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 26th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1998.
The obverse bears dragonfly over swamp flowers. Around, BROOKGREEN GARDENS / SOUTH CAROLINA
The reverse depicts frog sitting on water lily pad, one foot dipping into swirling water.
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This medal was chosen as the 27th issue of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medal series in 1999.
The obverse bears sculptor scrutinizing detail of female sculpture. Signed in lower right quadrant, RMM
The reverse bears female figure astride with wind-swept dress and raised arms. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; below, SOUTH CAROLINA
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 28th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2000.
The obverse bears two farmers, each plowing field behind two oxen, farmstead in background. Around, BROOKGREEN GARDENS / SOUTH CAROLINA
The reverse depicts women and children in settlement working with baskets and churning in a large bucket. Below, Plantation Life
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 29th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2001.
The obverse bears nude carver with chisel and mallet in recessed center field, standing on raised rim and working on legend. Around, BROOKGREEN GARDENS / SOUTH CAROLINA; signed at bottom of center field, K.SMITH
The reverse bears Anna Hyatt Huntington's Fighting Stallions with entrance to the gardens. Signed at right, K.SMITH
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 30th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2002.
The obverse bears sculptor's hand working on female nude sculpture with model in background. Above, FROM THE ARTIST'S STUDIO; signed at bottom, © / MELLON
The reverse bears finished statue in park, surrounded by plants, wirds and flowing water. Above, TO NATURE'S GALLERY; below, BROOKGREEN GARDENS / SOUTH CAROLINA
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 31st of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2003.
The obverse bears alligator. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; signed below, E Offner 2002
The reverse bears massive striped bass within boldly beaded border. Above, inside border, SOUTH CAROLINA
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 32nd of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2004.
The obverse bears female slave working rice fields of plantation, cow with ploughman in background. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; below, SOUTH CAROLINA
The reverse bears head of female black slave in front of rice fields. Signed above shoulder on right side, (HRL monogram)
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 33rd of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2005.
The obverse bears two otters, one standing on hind legs, on grassy land. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; below, South Carolina
The reverse bears diving otter amidst fish and water plants.
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 34th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2006.
The obverse bears oyster shell extending beyond round medal's edges. Above, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS; below, SOUTH CAROLINA
The reverse bears small rendering of Anna Hyatt Huntington's iconic Fighting Stallions in hollow of opened shell. Above, 75th YEAR; below, 1931 - 2006
I was not aware that the Brookgreen medals came in variants until I acquired the copper variant at auction from the collection of Don Young. The copper variant is much rarer than the silver-plated variant.
The irregularly circular medal measures 83mm x 76mm and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 35th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2006.
The obverse bears pitcherplant in bloom with blossoms extending above the rectangle's top. Beneath roots, 1932 - 2007, flanking numer 75 in circle; at bottom, BROOKGREEN GARDENS
The reverse bears dreaming female figure, representing Anna Hyatt Huntington; above her, floating images of sculpture that will be placed in the new garden; vines across top representing the garden. Below figure, South Carolina
This medal is of irregularly rectangular shape and measures 65mm x 82mm. It was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 36th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2008.
The obverse bears image of owl in flight. At left, CASANOVA 2008 ©
The reverse bears image of horseshoe crab. Around, BROOKGREEN GARDENS - SOUTH CAROLINA
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 37th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2009.
The obverse bears image of Archer M. Huntington, holding book under left arm before park scene. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; below, ARCHER M. HUNTINGTON
The reverse bears trees with fallen branch. Between them, across center, a poem by Archer Huntington:
THE SILVER GARDENS
GREY OAKS OF MYSTERY
BENEATH THEIR CLOISTER ARCHES IN PALE ROSE
THE MORNING CREEPS, EPIPHANY OF DAY.
FILLING THE BREATHING DEPTHS WITH PROPHECY.
IN LAMBENT LIGHT AND LYRIC PREPARATION
TO RAISE AGAIN THE HOLY HYMN OF DAWN.
ARCHER M. HUNTINGTON
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 38th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2010.
The obverse bears images from South Carolina's past, particularly a scene from the 1776 Battle of Sullivan's Island.
The reverse bears images of Revolutionary War soldiers arrayed around plans of Brookgreen Gardens; Archer and Anna Huntington studying the plans at top of medal. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; below, SOUTH CAROLINA
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 39th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2011.
The obverse bears an imagined scene of Anna Vaughn Hyatt working in her studio on the equestrian Joan of Arc statue.
The reverse bears vine-covered doorway. Across, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS; below, SOUTH CAROLINA
This rectangular medal measures 50mm x 76mm and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 40th of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2012.
The obverse bears a classic Diana with raised bow, in relaxed pose of just released arrow. Below, BROOKGREEN GARDENS - SOUTH CAROLINA; at left edge, in script, S. Eylanbekov Sc
The reverse bears rectangular map of original park layout. Across top, THE ORIGINAL LAYOUT OF THE SCULPTURE GARDEN / BY ANNA HYATT HUNTINGTON 1932; below, BROOKGREEN GARDENS SOUTH CAROLINA
This medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 41st of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2012.
The obverse depicts the artist's hand working with a sculptor's tool. Around top, BROOKGREEN - GARDENS
The reverse shows a sculptor/ceramist portrait. Around SOUTH - CAROLINA; signed at bottom, GREG WYATT SOUTH CAROLINA
This medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
This was the 42nd of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2014.
The obverse bears image of Barred Owl. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; at bottom, South / Carolina
The reverse bears image of farmer harvesting rice above three waves symbolizing water. Signed at bottom, SISKO
The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.
Loading variants might take a little bit of time. Please wait...
Contact me if you have links that might merit inclusion on this page or if you want to be listed as an auctioneer or dealer.
Additional Information