"Beyond the Sky, Beneath the Sea" by Herring Coe

Beyond the Sky, Beneath the Sea 1967
by Herring Coe
SOM-75.1
Golden bronze with light tan patina

This design by Matchett Herring Coe was chosen as the 75th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The medal's obverse bears a mermaid on a mythological sea-horse. The reverse bears a flying saucer with laser-like beams of light. Two-line legend above, BEYOND THE SKY AND BENEATH THE SEA / ARE KNOWN BUT TO GOD AND FANTASY.

Coe's medal drew some criticism from Society members. While there was agreement that the medal's obverse was very beautiful, the reverse was called "unfortunate" and "a bit too much on the moderne." Be that as it may, Coe and the selection committee showed courage in putting forward this fanciful design. Coe's message was described in his message "From the Artist:"

"We attribute to the unknown aspects of the familiar, and it is not that we believe what we see, but that we see what we believe..."

He used the flying saucer as a symbol for the modern people's attempt to make sense of phenomena beyond their present understanding.

The medal measures 73mm and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York, which reported a mintage of 845 bronze pieces.

SOM-75.1
Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Golden bronze with light tan patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 75TH ISSUE - 1967 - HERRING COE, SC.(C)
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
SOM-75.2
Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Golden bronze with light tan patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 75TH ISSUE - 1967 - HERRING COE, SC.(C)
MEDALLIC ART CO.-DANBURY, CONN