"Peace is Life - War is Death" by Cecil Howard

Peace is Life - War is Death 1950
by Cecil Howard
SOM-42.1
Silver-plated with dark antiqued background
SOM-42.2
Matte silver-plated with light antiquing
SOM-42.3
Matte silver-plated with light antiquing

This medal was chosen as the 42nd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1950.

The obverse bears man and woman holding baby; daisy at l., ear of wheat at r. Above, PEACE / IS / LIFE; below, © HOWARD

The reverse bears skull with gaping jaw; landscape with burning buildings, steeple, dead tree. Above, WAR / IS / DEATH

In the brochure accompanying the medal Howard wrote:

"The theme of this medal is so obvious as to demand very little explanation. I should like to say, however, the 'Life' and 'Death' as here used, are intended to mean not only physical life and death, but the preservation or destruction of civilization and moral values as well."

The medal measures 72mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its reported mintage is 842 pieces in silver-plated bronze.

SOM-42.1
Silver-plated Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Silver-plated with dark antiqued background
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 42ND ISSUE 1950 - CECIL HOWARD, SCULPTOR
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
SOM-42.2
Silver-plated Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Matte silver-plated with light antiquing
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 42ND ISSUE 1950 - CECIL HOWARD, SCULPTOR
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
SOM-42.3
Silver-plated Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Matte silver-plated with light antiquing
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 42ND ISSUE 1950 - CECIL HOWARD, SCULPTOR
MACO-NY-BRONZE