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Hello,

I need help deciphering the marks/lettering on this worn religious medal. This is probably simple, but I didn't want to assume anything. Also, I don't have the item in hand as of now. Finally, the current producer of this design is Bliss MFG, but their hallmarks are absent on this medal.

My first question: Is that a copyright symbol "C"?

And: I'm not sure what the lettering is before 1964 and couldn't find similar stamps for reference. The first letter is worn away, but I was seeing and guessing " ANTQUE " On the other hand, I have a friend who thinks it's "UNIQUE"

Thank you very much for the help!

Definitely a copyright symbol. I'd agree on UNIQUE...the I has a scratch which just decieves you into seeing a T. Now if Bliss is an American company and this had a dometic patent office filing, Unique might just be a branding name. So the copyright may not refer to the design, but to the word name UNIQUE as a trademark. You might be able to find it.

Rainwater had E. A. Bliss Co., Meriden (1875-)....started as Whitney & Rice Co., North Attleboro...thence E.A. Bliss (1883)...moves to Meriden (1890)...adds sterling (1893)...becomes Napier-Bliss Co. (1920)...finally Napier Co. (1922). Perhaps your much later Bliss Mnfg. is somehow related. Napier did use branding names.

Thank you very much for your help and pointing me in a good direction!

Also thank you for helping me with deciphering the lettering. With your observation, I blew out the contrast and did a negative view on the pic. I can now see the strong case for the scratch deceiving the eye. And, I think that a "U" would be appropriate for the first letter.