The Medal Maker

Laura Gardin Fraser (1889-1996) was an American sculptress whose works included medals, coins, fountains, and animals for which she is particularly well known. The first woman to design a coin for the US Treasury, she is also known for her double equestrian statue of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Her husband, James Earle Fraser, a renowned sculptor himself, designed the Indian Head “Buffalo” nickel.

This video was produced by the Medallic Art Company (MACO)—one of the longest-lasting and arguably most important private mints in the United States. It ceased operations in 2016 after 113 years in business. In 2018, the American Numismatic Society made the largest purchase in the history of our institution by acquiring the MACO archival remains and intellectual property rights. The ANS was fortunate to obtain 50,000 individual items including medals, dies, galvanos, photographic archives, and more.