Commems Collection Classic: "Did You Know?" World's Fairs / Expositions #21

Many of the early US commemorative coins were associated with World's Fairs or Expositions. In fact, the first 10 silver and gold design types all had a direct link to a Fair or Exposition (either here or in France) -- the 1916-17 McKinley Memorial gold dollars were the first US commemoratives not to be somehow linked to such an event.

At many of the Fairs or Expositions, the US Mint was on site with an exhibit that included a coin press on which souvenir medals were struck. These medals were every bit the match for US commemorative coins in terms of design aesthetics and overall quality (IMHO). They were typically struck in silver, copper, bronze and gilt (gold-plated bronze).

Here are a few examples of the US Mint's souvenir medals from the Fairs/Expositions that also featured a commemorative coin. (I have others, but this will serve as a good intro and "teaser" for future posts!)

Enjoy!

1893 World's Columbian Exposition




1903 Louisiana Purchase Exposition




1904-05 Lewis and Clark Exposition




1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition