The American Arts Commemorative Series medallions are gold bullion
pieces that were produced by the United States Mint from 1980 to 1984.
They were sold to compete with the South African Krugerrand and other
bullion coins. The series was proposed by North Carolina Senator Jesse
Helms after the US Department of the Treasury began selling portions of
the national stockpile of gold. At the suggestion of Iowa Representative
Jim Leach, the medallions depict Americans notable for their
achievements in the arts. President Jimmy Carter signed the
authorization into law in November 1978, despite objections from
Treasury officials. The medallions were initially sold through mail
order; purchasers were required to obtain the day's price by telephone
before ordering. Later, the Mint sold them through telemarketing.
Mintage ceased after the ten designs approved by Congress were produced.
All were struck at the West Point Bullion Depository. The series sold
poorly; critics blamed the complicated process by which they were first
marketed, and the fact that they were medallions rather than coins.
Read more:
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Arts_Commemorative_Series_medallions>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1800:
War of the Second Coalition: French forces defeated the
Austrians and Bavarians in Hohenlinden, near Munich, forcing the
Austrians to sign an armistice.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hohenlinden>
1904:
Himalia, the largest irregular satellite of Jupiter, was
discovered by astronomer Charles Dillon Perrine at the Lick Observatory
in San Jose, California.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalia_(moon)>
1927:
Putting Pants on Philip, the first official film featuring the
comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, was released.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel_and_Hardy>
1967:
Cardiac surgeon Christiaan Barnard performed the first
successful human heart transplant on Louis Washkansky at Groote Schuur
Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiaan_Barnard>
1992:
During extreme weather conditions, the oil tanker Aegean Sea
ran aground off the coast of Galicia, Spain, spilling 67,000 tonnes of
light crude oil.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegean_Sea_tanker_oil_spill>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
fomentation:
1. The act of fomenting; the application of warm, soft, medicinal
substances, as for the purpose of easing pain by relaxing the skin, or
of discussing (dispersing) tumours.
2. A lotion or poultice applied to a diseased or injured part of the body.
3. Encouragement; excitation; instigation.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fomentation>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
A work that aspires, however humbly, to the condition of art
should carry its justification in every line. And art itself may be
defined as a single-minded attempt to render the highest kind of justice
to the visible universe, by bringing to light the truth, manifold and
one, underlying its every aspect. It is an attempt to find in its forms,
in its colours, in its light, in its shadows, in the aspects of matter
and in the facts of life, what of each is fundamental, what is enduring
and essential — their one illuminating and convincing quality — the
very truth of their existence.
--The Nigger of the 'Narcissus'
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Nigger_of_the_%27Narcissus%27>