Medal satirizing a famous incident in which Sen. Huey Long of Louisiana was assaulted in the bathroom of a Long Island country club, 1933. Gilt bronze, with integral loop. Medallic Art Co., New York. Stuck on an irregular planchet in the shape of a toilet seat. Suspended from yellow silk ribbon, as found.
OBV: A sink with two running faucets, superimposed by a crowned fish with large mouth being struck by a fist which knocks the crown from its head; the date 1933 in Roman numerals to the right. On the lower rim, a Latin phrase, which is repeated in English on the reverse. REV: Inscription, BY PUBLIC ACCLAIM FOR A DEED DONE IN PRIVATE/ SANDS POINT AUGUST 26 1933. Hallmark of maker below.
On August 26, 1933, Long and some friends were dining at the Sands Point Bath Club on Long Island. As the evening progressed, the senator became drunk and unruly, grabbing a woman from another table and forcing her to dance with him. He then excused himself to use the bathroom, and returned holding a bloody handkerchief to his forehead. The unknown assailant became a hero to many, including the editors of Collier's magazine, which had been critical of Long, and Long had attacked in the press.
The magazine offered to give a gold medal paid for by public contributions to the assailant, and one was designed by Collier's cartoonist George DeZayas (whose initials appear under the fish's tail). However, as no one stepped forward claim it, the medal was given to the American Numismatic Society. An unknown number of copies in bronze were struck and distributed by Long's enemies. Mintage was low and these seldom come on the market, this being only the second example we have handled in 25 years. A rare and unusual political numismatic item related to one of the most controversial American politicians of the 20th century.
