1970 Bronze (40mm) South Carolina Tricentennial Medal - MACO Dean # D1970-2i

Description

This MACO produced medal is almost duplicate in design with the US Mint South Carolina Tricentennial Medal, the size of the MACO medal being slightly smaller. The most prominent difference in the obverse design is that this MACO medal does not carry the "P" mintmark. The reverse design has a ~2mm blank border around the edge. The medal has the MEDALLIC ARTS CO. N.Y. maker's mark on the edge on the medal and is struck with a much higher relief than those struck by the United States Mint.
The Obverse is an adaption of the official Tricentennial seal, representing the three governments which have controlled South Carolina since 1670. The seal of the eight Lords Proprietors to whom Charles II granted Carolina is seen at the lower left. In 1719 the Palmetto State threw off proprietary rule and became a royal colony of Great Britain, the seal appears at lower right. In 1776 the state formed an independent government and adopted a state seal, from which the larger figures were taken. The woman holding a laurel branch is Hope. The palmetto tree rises above an oak trunk, symbolizing South Carolina’s emergence from British rule. The legend SOUTH • CAROLINA/TRICENTENNIAL and the dates 1670/1970 complete the obverse.
The Reverse depicts the approach of a ship to the South Carolina coast which is seen representing the coming of the English in 1670. Aboard the vessel, “Carolina,” the colonists sailed into a fair harbor and up the Ashley River. There they established the first permanent colony, the site of which is preserved as a Tricentennial Exposition Center, Charles Towne Landing. Natives, with canoe, are seen at the water’s edge and the moss draped live oak and tangle of foliage, reflect the land as it was and symbolizes the challenge of the strange new land that greeted the settlers.