Anthony de Francisci

Anthony de Francisci studied at Art Students League of New York and Cooper Union. Places of work recorded in the authority are New York City. Work by Anthony de Francisci is recorded in the collections of Smithsonian American Art Museum. Distinctions recorded are J. Sanford Saltus Medal Award.

• Name — Anthony de Francisci • Birth Name — Antonio de Francisci • Born — 13 July 1887 • Birthplace — Palermo, Sicily, Italy • Died — 20 August 1964 • Place of death — Manhattan, New York City, U.S. • Known for — Sculpting • Notable Works — Peace dollar • Patrons — United States Mint

De Francisci immigrated to the United States in 1905 and became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1913. He was the son of Benedetto de Francisci and Maria Liberante and was married to Mary Teresa Cafarelli. De Francisci "studied under some very fine coin designers: Fraser, MacNeil, and Weinman."

De Francisci served as an Academician of the National Academy of Design and a Fellow of the National Sculpture Society.

• Illustration — The Peace dollar, first minted in 1921 • Illustration — National Guard Bureau insignia designed by de Francisci, 1921 Late in 1921, the Commission of Fine Arts held a competition for the design of a new silver dollar and invited "eight prominent sculptors to participate." Several of the entrants had already designed U.S. coins and achieved considerable fame. Although the youngest participant and a novice coin designer, de Francisci "won the competition and took home the $1,500 cash prize." Regarding this event, "The Dec. 20, 1920, issue of the Baltimore Sun reported…'Eight medalists, all of them from New York, were in the competition for the award. The designs in bas-relief were exhibited privately in the office of [Mint Director Raymond T. Baker], after he had shown the winning one to President Harding. The President expressed his pleasure and approval.'" Becoming the designer of the Peace Dollar and receiving considerable publicity as a result of this accomplishment greatly boosted the reputation of de Francisci, taking his career to a whole new level. De Francisci used his wife Mary Teresa as the model for the Liberty head of the Peace Dollar. When asked about its design, de Francisci "told a newspaper columnist that the portrait was not a 'photograph' of Mrs. de Francisci but was a 'composite' face that 'typified something of America'" De Francisci also said about the design of the Peace Dollar "that his goal was to capture the spirit of the country--its intellectual speed, vigor and vitality."

De Francisci sculpted the commemorative 1920 Maine Centennial half dollar. Also, de Francisci designed the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button, unofficially known as the "ruptured duck." The button was intended for wear as a lapel pin on civilian clothing to recognize military service. However, the military did not issue the button. Instead, it was available by private purchase. • Illustration — Medal (Obverse) for The Society of Medalists designed by de Francisci, 1935 • Illustration — Medal (Reverse) for The Society of Medalists designed by de Francisci, 1935 He modelled the bronze high reliefs of the drum base of the Sesquicentennial flagpole erected in Union Square, New York, in 1924 and dedicated, July 4, 1926, to mark the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The architect for the project was Perry Coke Smith. Starting from the rear, the effects of liberty, rendered as the march of progress in the arts, crafts and sciences of civilization is represented by figures that move towards the Declaration of Independence reproduced on a tablet at front center, while on the right, the effects of tyranny, in which fleeing humanity avidly reach for it.

• Name — Date — Notes • Adolph Alexander Weinman Portrait Plaque — 1915 — De Francisci made this tribute to his mentor Weinman • Maine Centennial commemorative Half Dollar — 1920 • National Guard Bureau Insignia — 1921 — for Department of Defense • Peace Dollar — 1921 • Alessandro L. Chiostergi Portrait Plaque — 1922 • James Douglas Gold Medal — 1922 (abt.) — For American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers • American Eagle Pin — 1922 (abt.) • Texas Cavalry Medal — 1924 • 12th issue, Fiat Vita — 1935 — The Society of Medalists series • Honorable Service Lapel Button — 1939 • Congressional Gold Medal to George C. Marshall — 1946 • Congressional Gold Medal to General Pershing — 1946 • Inaugural medal for the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair — 1964 • Texas Ranger Congressional Medal • Lincoln Medal — 1963 — Hall of Fame for Great Americans medal series • Cooper Medal — 1964 — Hall of Fame for Great Americans medal series • Alfred P. Sloan Radio-TV Award — Award for distinguished public service in highway safety

De Francisci was buried at Saint Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx, New York.

Anthony de Francisci is recorded with the occupation medalist. Established in RKDartists under 120919. Francisci worked at New York City. Recorded as having studied at Art Students League of New York and Cooper Union.