Historical information

International Harvester Co. medal commemorating the centennial of the 'Reaper' harvester. Issued in 1931, it names Cyrus Hall McCormick as inventor of the Reaper. Son of a Virginian farmer, he developed his father's earlier ideas into a viable harvesting machine capable of harvesting up to fifteen acres of wheat and other grains each day. Without it, only three acres could be cut. McCormick established a manufacturing business that quickly became one of the leading industrial companies in the United States. After his death the compnay merged with several competitors to form the International Harvester Co.

Significance

This medal commemorates the centennial of the reaper by the International Harvester Company in America and aboard.

Physical description

A round medal made of copper with the face of Cyrus Hall McCormick on the front

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse - Bust of McCormick wearing coat and bow-tie facing left; above are the words, CYRUS . HALL . McCORMICK, on the left 1808 / 1884,
on the right the words, INVENTOR / OF THE / REAPER. Reverse - A horse-drawn reaper working right, with the words above, INTERNATIONAL HARVESTOR COMPANY; below, CENTENNIAL OF / THE REAPER / 1831 1931.