This is a unique plaster for the 1957 Oklahoma Semi-Centennial Medal that was designed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser. This is from the estate of Laura Gardin Fraser.

Oklahoma became the 46th U.S. state on November 16, 1907. It was a territory from May 2, 1890, until the date of Statehood. The medal celebrates the 50th anniversary of Oklahoma's Statehood. On April 22, 1889, 2 million acres of land became available and 50,000 people raced into the Oklahoma territory to stake their claim. Laura Fraser brilliantly captured the excitement of the Oklahoma Run in both the panel and the medal, documenting this important part of American history.

The Oklahoma City Fairgrounds commissioned James Earle Fraser to create a large, relief panel for the 1889 Land Rush. Unfortunately, he passed away and his wife, Laura, completed the design and sculpture. The panel is called Run of 1889 and is currently displayed in Oklahoma City's Bicentennial Park.

The obverse of the medal depicts settlers on horseback and a wagon racing to stake a land claim in the new Oklahoma territory. This scene is depicted on part of the larger 20-foot panel. The reverse depicts two figures symbolizing the future of Oklahoma. This medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company and is 76mm in diameter. It was distributed by the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.

Laura Gardin Fraser was a noted American Sculptor and was the first woman to design a U.S. commemorative coin. She was the winner of the design competition for the 1932 Washington Quarter by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. This design was issued as the 1999 George Washington Commemorative Gold Five-Dollar coin, and her obverse design was used for the circulating quarter starting in 2022.

Her officially adopted designs include the 1921 Alabama Half Dollar, the 1922 Grant Gold Dollar and Half Dollar, and the 1925 Vancouver Half Dollar. Additionally, she co-designed the 1926 Oregon Trail Half Dollar with her husband, sculptor James Earle Fraser.

I have handled many plasters of U.S. coins and U.S. Mint medals. This unique Oklahoma Run plaster is absolutely amazing. It is 15 inches in diameter, 3 inches high, weighs 11 lbs and has an incredible 3-D scene that is breathtaking. It truly belongs in a museum or private collection of Laura Gardin Fraser coin and medal designs. This would be the centerpiece in a collection dedicated to the American frontier.

This plaster was previously from a Museum/Gallery that acquired it directly from the Fraser Estate. Also in their collection were the original plasters of Laura Gardin Fraser's 1932 Quarter design.

The Medal Maker featuring Laura Gardin Fraser This video was produced by the Medallic Art Company which was one of the longest-lasting private mints in the United States. It ceased operations in 2016 after 113 years. In 2018, the American Numismatic Society acquired the archival remains and intellectual property rights.

Here is a another Laura Gardin Fraser original plaster of a U.S. coin design. 1932 Washington Quarter Reverse Plaster Designed and Sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser Plaster & Original Photograph from her Estate Adopted Reverse Design for the 1999 $5 Gold George Washington Commemorative UNIQUE 11½" Plaster Model

Featured on the cover of
Mint Error News Magazine Issue 69: