New Medals Honor Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington

The Jewish-American Hall of Fame issued art medals in May 2025 honoring philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, who appears along with his friend and associate Booker T. Washington, a prominent figure of the Progressive Era. These Renaissance-style high relief medals are the 56th in the longest continuing series of art medals in America.

- BY JOSHUA McMORROW-HERNANDEZ

No more than 100 3½-inch bonded bronze medals will be hand made by former U.S. Mint engraver Jim Licaretz and hand-patinated by medalist Eugene Daub. Daub won the American Medal of the Year Award in 2024 and Licaretz won the Award in 2023. The Rosenwald-Washington medals can be ordered for the special price of $160 each by calling the Jewish-American Hall of Fame at [phone] and mentioning COINage.

Mel Wacks, director of the Jewish-American Hall of Fame, says, “There is probably no person other than Rosenwald, the most important philanthropist you never heard of, who is more deserving of this honor.”