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