"Peary Raised This Flag, Who Will Raise the Other?" Commemorative Medal, circa 1909
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Artifact Overview
In 1909, people across the globe were asking the question, who had reached the North Pole first? Two men claimed the prize: Dr. Frederick Cook and Robert Peary. Both explorers had their supporters and detractors. The famed New York coin dealer Thomas Elder backed Peary and commissioned this token dedicated to the "intrepid hero."
Artifact Details
Artifact
Medal
Date Made
circa 1909
Subject Date
06 April 1909
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Commissioned by Thomas L. Elder.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2003.0.27.96
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Aluminum
Dimensions
Diameter: 1.5 in
Inscriptions
PEARY RAISED THIS FLAG / WHO WILL RAISE THE OTHER? [obverse]
AT THE AGE OF 53 / ROBERT E. PEARY / COMMANDER U.S.N. / A NATIVE OF CRESSON, PENNSYLVANIA / AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS / FIRST SUCCEEDED / IN PLANTING THE STARS AND STRIPES AT / THE NORTH POLE / APRIL SIXTH / 1909 / THE FIRST MEDAL TO THIS INTREPID HERO / DEDICATED BY THOMAS L. ELDER / NUMISMATIST / 32 EAST TWENTY THIRD ST. / NEW YORK. [reverse]
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