Joseph Pancoast (1805-1882), a general and ophthalmic surgeon, practiced in Philadelphia, Pa, where he was a professor of surgery and then a professor of anatomy at Jefferson Medical College. Pancoast devised procedures for cataracts, strabismus, tic douloureux, and occlusion of the nasolacrimal duct.
This undated bronze medal was engraved in approximately 1870 by William Barber at the US Mint in Philadelphia. At that time Barber was chief engraver. The obverse (Figure 1) depicts Pancoast's bust left. The reverse (Figure 2)depicts a laurel and oak wreath surrounding a 6-line inscription.