Name/Title
Tricentennial Commemorative Medal (1970)Entry/Object ID
2018.10.1Description
High-relief bronze South Carolina Tricentennial medal. The obverse depicts the Roman goddess of hope, Spes, in front of a palmetto tree flanked by two seals. Around the obverse of the coin reads, "South Carolina Tricentennial, 1670, 1970." The reverse features a scene of two men in a boat landing on the South Carolina coast with ship in the background. Inscribed at the bottom of the reverse is “1670.” A makers mark is on the coin's edge reads "Medallic Art Co. N.Y."Context
The 1970 South Carolina Tricentennial celebrated three hundred years of South Carolina History, with Charleston focusing on colonization and colonial life (1670-1770), Columbia focusing on life from the American Revolution through the Civil War (1770-1870), and Greenville focusing on the final 100 years leading up to the 1970s. While local businesses and an official souvenir vender did sell various goods with the Tricentennial's logos and seals, commemorative coins were also commissioned for the celebration.
Several sizes were made with different metals to allow for variety and to make the coins more appealing to collectors. The U.S. Mint produced 3,300 silver medallions of two different sizes and over 3,000 bronze medallions. Another batch of bronze and silver medallions of similar sizes, such as this medallion, were made by the Medallic Art Company of New York City. The medallions sold for $1.50 to $100 depending on size, metal, and edition.
Designed by world-renowned Spanish sculptor Enrique Monjo (1895-1976), the obverse of the medallion features the seal of the eight Lords Proprietor, the 1719 seal, the figure of Hope from the 1776 state seal, and the palmetto tree rising from the trunk of an oak tree, representing British rule. The reverse is a pictorial scene of the settlers landing in Charles Towne in 1670. The moss-draped tree and the Native Americans seen in a canoe near the lower edge represent the new land for colonial exploration.Coin Details
Obverse
Description
Woman in front of palmetto tree flanked by two seals.Transcription
South Carolina Tricentennial, 1670, 1970Reverse
Description
Scene of two men landing among foliage with ship in the background.Transcription
1670Edge
Edge Type
Embossed LetteringDescription
Makers MarkTranscription
Medallic Art Co. N.Y.Dimensions
Height
5/8 inDiameter
1-9/16 inRelationships
Related Events
Event
South Carolina Tricentennial
