"Hail to Dionysus" by Paul Manship

Hail to Dionysus 1930
by Paul Manship
SOM-2.1
Saddle brown patina
SOM-2.2
Deep hematite red patina
SOM-2.4
Silver

This medal was chosen as the 2nd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The obverse bears a grape-crowned, bearded god of wine over shallow, two-handled kylix. Around, in two lines, HAIL - TO - DIONYSUS - WHO - FIRST - DISCOVERED / THE - MAGIC - OF - THE - GRAPE. The reverse bears youthful satyrs trampling grapes. Below, signed © / .P.MANSHIP 1930.

Manship's medal proved to be highly controversial and thus provided much needed publicity for the still young Society of Medalists. America was still nominally observing Prohibition and at least one member is reported to have resigned over this "glorification of wine."

The medal measures 73mm in diameter. The Medallic Art Company of New York struck a reported 1,950 medals in bronze and 50 in silver.

References: Marqusee 256

All that being said, this medal in bronze typically trades on eBay between $180 and $230. Silver variants come up very rarely and can fetch several hundred dollars, typically in the $400 to $1,000 range.

SOM-2.1
Bronze
73mm (2.75in)
Saddle brown patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS SECOND ISSUE
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y.
SOM-2.2
Bronze
73mm (2.75in)
Deep hematite red patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS SECOND ISSUE
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
SOM-2.3
Bronze
73mm (2.75in)
Glossy graphite brown patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS SECOND ISSUE
MEDALLIC ART CO.-DANBURY,CT.-BRONZE
SOM-2.4
Silver
73mm (2.75in)
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS SECOND ISSUE - ONE OF LIMITED ISSUE OF 700
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. - .999+ PURE SILVER