artist.shtml medals frank-eliscu

Frank Eliscu



You can click on the medals to see the reverse.

  • 
    American Bankers Association Medal
    by Frank Eliscu

    The obverse bears a stylized eagle in flight, with images of family, tree, and flourishing city on wing. Below, AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION. The reverse bears the same eagle image with legend THE HIGHEST OF DISTINCTIONS IS SERVICE TO OTHERS in place of image. Dedication below. Signed ELISCU.

    Frank Eliscu chose an interesting design for this medal. Its shape is reminiscent of a shark's tooth and its message of service is strangely at odds with the rather aggressive eagle image and the medal's shape.

    The medal is edge marked at 6:00 with MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. Neither mintage nor the medal's creation date are known. Any additional information about this medal would be deeply appreciated.

  • Sea Treasures 1964
    by Frank Eliscu

    This medal was chosen as the 70th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1964. The obverse bears a nude diver with sea plant, fish, sea anemones and coral. The reverse bears a seascape with diverse forms of sea life; signed ELISCU / © 1964.

    Frank Eliscu was fascinated by sea and expressed that fascination in sculpture as well as in this medal:

    "I have always felt that life and movement are synonymous.... Of the many themes that lend themselves to this belief, the natural beauty of the sea is one that has always fascinated me."

    Members' reaction to the medal was overwhelmingly positive.

    The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported mintage is 937 pieces in bronze.

  • ANS Member's Medal1977
    by Frank Eliscu

    This is the 53rd official medal issued by the the American Numismatic Society (ANS) and its fourth membership medal. Earlier membership medals were designed by George H. Lovett, Victor David Brenner, and Gutzon Borglum.

    The obverse depicts a high relief owl on branch with oak leaves and acorns. Above, MEMBER'S MEDAL; to left, PARVA NE PEREANT; at right, under leaves, signed ELISCU.

    The reverse bears image of oak sapling bursting through solid rock. Around, THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY.

    While the oak leaf cluster has long been the logo of the ANS and has always been present on the medals it has issued, Frank Eliscu integrated the motif in a new way. In his design for the membership medal, the oak leaves are part of a sapling that fights its way from the nurturing ground to light and air. Life requires growth, not just in nature but also in numismatic organizations.

    The medal measures 64mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Mintages for gold, silver, and bronze editions are not reported.