American Red Cross War Council Medal (obverse)

1920

American Red Cross War Council Medal (obverse), 1920. Daniel Chester French (American, 1850–1931). Bronze; diameter: 7 cm (2 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust 1921.1723.a This medal was the 42nd issue of the American Numismatic Society and co-issued by the American Red Cross in 1920. It was first struck in gold for the 12 members of the council of prominent New York businessmen who had advised the American Red Cross on its work during the First World War. Then 4 more were struck in silver and 205 in bronze, the group from which this medal comes. The initials of artist Will Hicok Low (1853-1932) are inscribed on the reverse because he advised French to place the nurse in front of the soldier in the composition.