Officials with Ontario’s London Numismatic Society (LNS) recently unveiled the club’s 70th anniversary commemorative medal.
On the reverse, a maple wreath surrounds the words “70th / ANNIVERSARY” and “For those interested in / collecting Coins, Bills / and Medals / 2021.”
Byron Swayze, the club’s first president, used the latter phrase in an April 19, 1951-dated letter sent to potential members to form a London-based coin club or a chapter of what was then the Canadian Numismatic Association. Medal designer Ron Confortin’s “RC” initials are also near the middle of the wreath.
The club held its first meeting about a week later, on April 27, 1951.
The medal’s common obverse (shown) is also used on the club’s 60th anniversary issue plus its monthly newsletter. It depicts the club’s ‘LNS’ logo.
The common obverse design – also featured on the club’s 60th anniversary medal – depicts the “LNS” logo in the centre with “LONDON NUMISMATIC SOCIETY / FOUNDED 1951” separated by maple leaves around the rim. The design is also featured on the club’s monthly LNS Bulletin.
The medal, which measures 12.7 millimetres in diameter, should be completed by the end of July, Confortin said.
All LNS members will be given a bronze version, but the club is also selling silver versions plus additional bronze medals.
The club has also issued:
- a sterling silver proof medal to commemorate its 60th anniversary and 725th meeting in 2011;
- an antique pewter medal to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2001;
- a bronze medal marking the 25th convention of what was then known as the Canadian Numismatic Association (CNA), held in London and hosted by the LNS, in 1978;
- another bronze medal for the club’s 20th anniversary and 250th meeting in 1971;
- yet another bronze medal to mark the club’s 100th meeting and banquet on April 11, 1959;
- bronze and sterling silver medals – the group’s first issue – to commemorate the third annual CNA Convention, which the club hosted on Sept. 21-22, 1956.