Titanic Gold Medal
- Description
- Founded in 1904 by wealthy financier Andrew Carnegie in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission (CHFC) exists to honor acts of individual civilian heroism in the United States and Canada. It is still active today; recipients include both the living, the dead, and persons directly affected by the loss of a heroic relative.
- The emotional impact on the general public of the April 1912 loss of the ocean liner Titanic was astonishing, and the continually updated story lasted for months in the contemporary newspapers. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Commission felt inspired to honor all the heroes who had risked their lives in the rescue of the 700 passengers, so at their April 26, 1912 meeting they authorized a nine-oz. 22-k gold medal to be struck, mounted in an elaborate bronze base, inscribed and presented to the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian accepted the gift and displayed it before adding it to the National Numismatics Collection in the National Museum of American History.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- medal
- date made
- ca 1912
- maker
- Medallic Art Company Ltd.
- Flanagan, John
- Physical Description
- bronze (overall; frame material)
- Measurements
- overall: 15 in x 13 in x 3 1/2 in; 38.1 cm x 33.02 cm x 8.89 cm
- place made
- United States: Connecticut, Bridgeport
- ID Number
- NU*13650
- accession number
- 54893
- catalog number
- 13650
- subject
- Coins, Currency and Medals
- Transportation
- Titanic
- See more items in
- Political History: National Numismatic Collection
- Titanic
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
- Additional Media
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