Constantino Brumidi Awarded Congressional Gold Medal

July 11, 2012

WASHINGTON — A Congressional Gold Medal was presented posthumously today to Constantino Brumidi (1805–1880) during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Building. The award, authorized by Public Law 110–259, was in recognition of his contributions to our Nation as a designer of murals in the U.S. Capitol, including those in the Senate Reception Room, the President’s Room, the Senate Appropriations Committee Rooms and the Brumidi Corridors. He is widely known for his iconic masterpiece, “The Apotheosis of Washington,” located in the eye of the Capitol dome, and the Frieze of American History, located around its base. Brumidi also created the first tribute to an African American in the Capitol with the figure of Crispus Attucks, the focal point of his fresco of the Boston Massacre.

Brumidi was born in Rome of a Greek father and Italian mother. He came to the United States in 1852 and became a citizen in 1857. His life and work exemplify the lives of millions of immigrants who came to this country to pursue the American dream.

The medal’s obverse (heads side), designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Don Everhart, depicts a portrait of Constantino Brumidi within a decorative border based on his designs. CONSTANTINO BRUMIDI is inscribed along the inner circle. The reverse (tails side), also designed and sculpted by Everhart, features the central portion of Brumidi’s “The Apotheosis of Washington,” with the inscription ARTIST of the CAPITOL in the center of the design and 2008 ACT OF CONGRESS along the lower rim.

Bronze reproductions of the medal, also authorized by Public Law 110–259, will be available for purchase from the United States Mint beginning at noon Eastern Time (ET) on July 11. The three–inch medal is priced at $39.95, and the one and one–half inch medal is priced at $6.95. Orders will be accepted via the bureau’s online catalog at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or at 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468). Presentation cases are also available separately. A $4.95 shipping and handling charge is added to all domestic orders.

The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792. This year marks the bureau’s 220th anniversary. The United States Mint is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.

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