I was re-organizing my US commemorative coin ephemera over the weekend (it was long overdue!) and I came across a number of items that I hadn't discussed yet here on CCF.
For tonight, I thought I'd present an item that I won in an auction a few years back; it was part of a group lot. I wasn't specifically seeking the piece, in fact, I wasn't even aware such a piece existed. I also recall that I didn't really consider its value when determining the bid I submitted for the lot.
When the lot arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by the "extra" item in the lot. It is a "match safe" (a small case that holds matches) from the Columbian Exposition. It is 2-1/2 inches tall with a width of 1-1/2 inches; its depth varies slightly from 1/2 an inch at its base to 2/5 of an inch at its top. The bottom edge of the case features a rough area on which matches were struck.
Read More: Commems CollectionThe safe's inclusion in a lot of US commemorative coin ephemera is clearly its use of coin-like images on its front and back sides that resemble the 1892 Columbian half dollar.
On the front of the case, Uncle Sam is shown holding the "coin" with one hand as he rests it against his right thigh. The "coin" features a right-facing portrait of Columbus as on the actual coin, but uses different inscriptions. "U. S. of A" replaces "United States of America" and "Columbian Souvenir Coin" is used instead of "Columbian Half Dollar."
The back of the case depicts an eagle with outstretched wings that is holding the "coin" in its beak. The facsimile coin appears to be one that has had a hole drilled through it so that a ring could be inserted and it could be hung from a ribbon; the eagle is shown holding the "coin" by this ring. The facsimile's design features Columbus' flagship, the
Santa Maria atop maps of the world's two hemispheres, the same primary design elements seen on the actual coin. The facsimile uses dual dates, "1492 - 1892" vs. the coin's single date and shortens the coin's "World's Columbian Exposition" inscription to "Columbian Exposition." Both items feature the Exposition's location - "Chicago."
The two "coins" on the case are slightly larger than a US quarter dollar (25.5 mm vs. 24.3 mm).
A total of 42 stars are featured on the case's lid, 12 on the front and 30 on the back. There were 44 states in the Union in 1892 and 44 stars on the US flag, so why the designer of the piece stopped at 42 is anyone's guess - 13 on the front and 31 on the back would have fit just fine and been more symbolically current and accurate. Maybe the designer was working from an old map!
From the discoloration seen in the areas of wear on the piece, I believe it is silver-plated. The plating must be relatively thick, however, as many of the high points on the piece retain their silver appearance.
A different example of the piece sold on
ebay in November 2015 for $246. There is another one on
ebay currently. It has been bid up to $95 with five different bidders; the auction still has five days to go.
As I researched my case, I came across a couple of other Columbian Exposition match cases. They appear attractive and nicely done, but do not include copies of the commemorative half dollar in their design. They're nice, but I think I will leave them for other collectors.
So, it appears that I got lucky with the auction lot. The piece that I effectively disregarded by assigning it essentially no value within my bid turns out to be a piece that I can likely sell for $100 or more. It's a small comfort that helps to balance out all of the lots on which I overbid because I "just had to have them!"
World's Columbian Exposition Match Safe - Front
World's Columbian Exposition Match Safe - Back
World's Columbian Exposition Match Safe - Bottom
Here's one of my Columbian half dollars to aid in a quick comparison:
Posted 01/24/2017 7:14 pm
It would take me 1 post to show my collection. This is a very cool item with a story to match. And as for the MS-65 Colombian, I must say you have a great eye for coins. Great toning. When reading CelticKnot's comment, I knew what he was getting at as a collection US commemorative coin ephemera is so rare. It reminded me of a Spongue Bob episode where Squidward, a very dry and sarcastic character, once said to Sponge Bob "If I had a dollar for every brain you didn't have, I'd have one dollar."
