This medal was chosen as the 36th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The obverse bears a large female figure gazing intently left; four small female figures holding lamp and lekythoi. Lower left quadrant, THE WISE / VIRGINS.
The reverse bears five female figures standing and sitting on stair with empty lamps; two sleek cats. Below, eight lines of text including six lines of verse: THE FOOLISH VIRGINS. / "NO LIGHT HAD WE, FOR THAT WE DO REPENT, / AND LEARNING THIS THE BRIDEGROOM WILL RELENT. / TOO LATE, TOO LATE, YE CANNOT ENTER NOW." / "NO LIGHT, SO LATE, AND DARK AND CHILL THE NIGHT. / O LET US IN, THAT WE MAY FIND THE LIGHT. / TOO LATE, TOO LATE, YE CANNOT ENTER NOW." / TENNYSON; below text, © HENRY KREIS.
The lines of poetry are an excerpt from Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King," which is based, as this medal is, on the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.
This medal measures 73mm and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage was 599 in bronze and 50 in silver.