George H Lovett Gallery Part 3: Haverford College Medal Series

Haverford College Medal Series

"Haverford was founded in 1833 as Haverford School by a group of New York and Philadelphia Quakers who sought to create an institution of learning grounded in Quaker values. Though we are non-denominational today, our Quaker roots influence many of our values and processes.

In the beginning, a seven-member faculty educated 21 Quaker boys in Greek, Latin, natural and moral philosophy, mathematics, and literature in that first year. Students lived, ate, and took classes in Founders Hall, a building that currently houses meeting rooms, faculty offices, and College administration, including the Office of the President.

By the turn of the 20th century, Haverford had become a national institution, competing for students and faculty with leading institutions in the nation. Although Haverford began admitting women as first-year undergraduate students only in 1980, Haverford's commitment to educating women began as early as 1917 and has been greatly strengthened by cooperation with Bryn Mawr College, which was also founded by Orthodox Friends. Today, women comprise half of Haverford's student body, and the Bi-College (Bi-Co) relationship continues to enrich the academic, cultural, and extracurricular offerings of both institutions.

Haverford has evolved into a college with both a wide-ranging academic program (students study topics from Biophysics to Peace and Conflict Studies, though we still offer Latin) and a diverse scholarly community. Today, with over 100 faculty members and a coeducational student body, Haverford enrolls nearly 1200 students each year representing a wide variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds and a wide geographic area."

(From the Haverford College website)

1869 Haverford College / Society of Friends Medal

Silver, 42mm

Bronze/copper?, 42mm

(image courtesy of John Sallay)

White Metal, 42mm

"3. A Memorial Medal, designed by an alumnus of Haverford College, and executed by the well-known artist, Geo. H. Lovett, of New York. The obverse presents an accurate south-front view of the main building, with the legend, " Haverford College, PennSylvania, 1869." Reverse—" Founded by the Society of Friends, 1833," above an open Bible, over which stream the rays from a suspended lamp, symbolical of Haverford's fundamental doctrine embodied in her motto: " Non Doctior Sed Meliore Doctrina Imbutus" which appears in a heraldic garter surrounding the whole. The medal is placed by its designer at prices barely sufficient to cover cost of manufacture and transmission, as it is his wish to make it a permanent memento within reach of all interested in the College. Price, in bronze, $1; white metal, 50 cents; silver, $ 5. Of the silver, only ten were struck, they being intended more especially for cabinet collectors, and the number, therefore, has been strictly limited."

(from "The Banker's Magazine and Historical Register, Volume Twenty-Eighth, from July1873 to June 1874 inclusive", published by I. Smith Homans, Jr., New York)

The Suburban, Haverford College Magazine

Haverford College Alumni Association Undergraduate Medal

From The Haverford College Bulletin, Vol. 17, No.3, April 1919.
"The Association of the Alumni, in the year 1875, established an annual prize of $50, either a gold medal or an equivalent value in books and bronze medal, for excellence in composition and oratory."

White Metal, 42mm

Bronze, 42mm

Gold?, 42mm

IMAGE NEEDED

The following entry from The American Journal of Numismatics and Bulletin of American Numismatic and Archeological Societies, Quarterly, Volume XI, July 1876 - July 1877 indicates these medals were struck in white metal, bronze, and gold. "Mr Colburn in behalf of IF Wood Esq presented the Society with two impressions in bronze and white metal of the Haverford Alumni Prize Medal Obverse View of building Legend Alumni Association of Haverford College and Pennsyl between two branches of laurel Reverse Legend For undergraduate's oration Instituted mdccclxxv round a garter inscribed Suavitas Subtilitas Acumen Sonitus within which a space for name of recipient The medal awarded is struck in gold Mr Wood wrote a letter describing the medal and the reasons for striking it which was read and the thanks of the Society were voted for the gift and his interesting account of the same" I have not seen nor do I have any record of a gold example. Do any still exist?

Invitation to the Class of 1875 Haverford College Junior Exhibition with envelope

Haverford College Alumni Association /Founders Hall Medal

White Metal, 42 mm

Haverford College Wood's Series B, No. 1 Medal

Type 1, white metal, 42mm

Type 1, bronze, 42mm

IMAGE NEEDED

The type 1 medal has the lettering "Isaac F. Wood's Series B. No.1" incuse as if these were added after striking. This is the same medal as the 1869 Society of Friends Medal with the exception of this inscription. Why? Is this another case of George H. striking pieces to offer for sale to the public on the order of Isaac. F. Woods?

Type 2, silver, 42mm

(image courtesy of John Sallay)

Type 2, white metal, 42mm

(image courtesy of John Sallay)

Type 2, bronze, 42mm

IMAGE NEEDED

The type 2 medal is the same as above with the exception of the legend "Isaac F. Wood's Series B. No 1" being raised indicating it had been inscribed in the die.

Type 3, bronze, reeded border, 42mm