Owner Comments:
MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Bronze Variety - Choice Brilliant Gem
*A beautiful, near perfect specimen of this commemorative medal struck by Landmarks. There are minor marks/abrasions on the reverse which likely factored into it grading out as 67.— Matches its much rarer silver counterpart of the same design. Both are included in this collection.*
MEDAL BACKGROUND:
Struck by “Landmarks” to commemorate the “Centennial State” (Colorado) in its centennial year (1976). Colorado is known for its vast natural colors, particularly in the Rocky Mountains. This is noted on the OBV. — The reverse displays part of the poem “America the Beautiful” by Katharine Lee Bates; particularly what seems to (or could) refer to Colorado: “O beautiful for spacious skies. For amber waves of grain. For purple mountain majesties. Above the fruited plain!” — Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929).
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Landmarks was a company local to Colorado that made Colorado-related medals (pertaining to famous landmarks) and memorabilia. I have tried to collect as many Landmarks medals for this collection as possible. Medals range from Colorful Colorado: The Centennial State as shown here, to Pike’s Peak, Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Grand Lake, Maroon Bells, and many more. An insert on one of the medals reads as follows: “Landmarks P.O. Box 1643 Grand Junction, Colorado B15011 1977 Landmarks” — However, it appears this company no longer exists, as there is no history/background whatsoever regarding them. Nevertheless, their company will live on through the beautiful, high-quality medals they created for collectors in the 1970’s.
ISSUED BY: Landmarks
RARITY: Unknown; Likely scarce
NGC Census not available.
MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Struck by “Landmarks,” Bronze, 38mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Colorful Colorado / The Centennial State / (Associated Imagery of the Rockies and Farming) / In its Centennial Year / 1876-1976
REVERSE: (Image of All Seeing Eye at Top) / O beautiful / for spacious skies. / For amber waves of grain. / For purple mountain majesties. / Above the fruited / plain! / Katharine Lee Bates / 1859-1929 / Landmarks
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(Katharine Lee Bates):
“Katharine Lee Bates (August 12, 1859 – March 28, 1929) was an American author and poet, chiefly remembered for her anthem ‘America the Beautiful’, but also for her many books and articles on social reform, on which she was a noted speaker.” — Credited Source: Andy Pease, " 'America the Beautiful' by Katharine Lee Bates and Samuel Augustus Ward, arr. Carmen Dragon"
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(Colorado as the “Centennial State” and “Colorful Colorado”):
“The name was chosen for Colorado as a Territory in 1861 by Congress and became a state in 1876. With statehood being 100 years after the signing of the nation's Declaration of Independence, Colorado's nickname became the "Centennial State." Colorado is also called "Colorful Colorado," presumably because of our magnificent scenery of mountains, rivers, and plains. This phrase has decorated maps, car license plates, tourist information centers, and souvenirs of all kinds!” — Credited Source: Colorado State Archives (archives.colorado.gov)