I want to share with everyone today a beautiful Medal that I found and purchased as a gift for my Stepdad who was in the Coast Guard.  It's a "U.S. Coast Guard Bicentennial Bronze Medal".  It's very heavy, fits great in the palm of your hand and measures 3 inches across.  Made of bronze and minted at the Philadelphia Mint...although there is no mint mark on the Medal itself.  I think the details are so clear and dramatic!  The obverse was inspired by a painting named "To the Rescue" by Anton Otto Fischer.  It depicts a 19th century Coast Guard rescue boat battling a storm at sea while trying to aid a disabled vessel. Now this is a cool fact...  Mr. Fischer, who was also Lieutenant Commander Fischer painted this while on active duty in the Coast Guard Reserve!  "Guardians Of The Sea" is inscribed on a flowing banner at the top and "200 Years Of Service" are at the bottom.  The reverse is the official Coast Guard seal, the shield of the Coat of Arms of the United States, the motto "Semper Paratus," or "always ready," and "United States Coast Guard 1790" superimposed on two crossed anchors.  This fit in a beautiful velvet case  (purchased separately).  Perfect for presentation and my Stepdad loved it!   Thanks for reading my blog!  Comments are always welcome.