"The Alphabet" by Edward Ryneal Grove

The Alphabet 1973
by Edward Ryneal Grove
SOM-88.1
Golden bronze with tan patina
SOM-88.2
Silver

This medal was chosen as the 88th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series.

The obverse bears a star-like abstract design with letters from a variety of alphabets across. In the center of the star, THE / ALPHA / BET. The reverse bears a montage of the twenty-six roman letters; below, ERG © 1973.

This medal was displayed at the 1975 congress of the Federation international de la medaille d'art in Krakow, Poland and won critical acclaim for its bold design. In the medal's brochure Grove quotes Frederic W. Goudy, the dean of American designers, as calling the development of the alphabet "the most fruitful of all achievements of the human intellect."

The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company in a reported mintage of 1,625 in bronze and 125 in silver.

SOM-88.1
Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Golden bronze with tan patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 88TH ISSUE - OCTOBER 1973 EDWARD GROVE, SC.(C)
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
SOM-88.2
Silver
73.0mm (2.87in)
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 88TH ISSUE - OCTOBER 1973 EDWARD GROVE, SC.(C)
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. .999+ PURE SILVER