New medal unites well-known Canadian, U.S. engravers

The 2019-dated “Peace and Liberty” medal featuring a reverse design by retired Royal Canadian Mint Senior Engraver Susan Taylor and an obverse design by 12th Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint John Mercanti was recently released.

Taylor is the winner of the 2016 American Medal of the Year Award and the designer of the International Art Medal Federation 2018 Congress medal.

Mercanti is known for his designing more coins and medals than any other designer in U.S. Mint history; this includes the “American Eagle” silver dollar reverse.

The 2019 Peace and Liberty medal marks the first time Mercanti has worked with another North American mint.

The medal honours the sacrifices made by veterans of both nations as well as the principles for which they fight. The inspiration for this medal comes from Canada’s National War Memorial in Ottawa, where female personifications of Peace and Liberty are displayed atop an arch with 22 First World War soldiers below.

Minted in ultra high relief, it marks the start of a new series from the Royal Canadian Mint. The medal is available in one ounce of 99.999 per cent gold and one or 10 ounces of 99.99 per cent silver. Mintages are limited to 200, 3,000 and 500 pieces, respectively.

REVERSE & OBVERSE

Taylor’s reverse takes the form of a left-facing bust with the female personification of Peace wearing maple leaves in her hair. The design features a frosted field and a variety of both lightly frosted and mirrored devices.

“The inspiration originated from the Greek word ‘demokratia,'” said Taylor. “Her hair is crowned with a wreath of maple leaves and olive branches that symbolizes the core values of peace, order and good government that have come to inherently represent the Canadian identity.”

Mercanti’s obverse presents a full-bodied image of Liberty accented by a frosted field and a variety of mirrored and lightly frosted accents.

“In this design, Liberty has been depicted as moving forward toward the future,” said Mercanti. “The sword in her right hand holds at bay two vipers that represent evil in this world. In her left hand, she holds up the torch of Liberty, wrapped in laurel symbolizing the victory over oppression.”

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