Columbian Cousins...

Just to add a bit of info on these since the ebay listing is devoid of useful numismatic info:

The piece with the embedded ticket is from 1893. It is an aluminum medal that is 52mm in diameter. The "ticket" embedded in it is a replica of one of the actual admission tickets used at the Exposition.

The Columbus/Administration Building medal is 68mm in diameter and was struck on a white metal planchet. It was designed by A. O. Arneis. The medal was also available as a bronzed white metal piece. From the images, it appears the piece listed is one of the "plain" white metal medals. The obverse portrait was paired with other reverse designs (i.e., other Expo buildings). While few medals from the 1893 Exposition are common (though some are!), this one isn't quite as rare as the seller would have you believe.

Yes, the embedded ticket is a replica - the medals were originally issued with replica tickets. The real tickets are much too large to fit on a medal of this size - they would need to be something like 5" in diameter to fit an actual ticket!

Thanks for the info Commems! I do love the medals that were produced during this time, lots of different and very beautiful designs with a lot of high relief. They also had a lot of crazy stuff too like that token or, a favorite of mine, the ones struck in wood.

Gotta say though that I would rather own an actual ticket rather than the token with the replica, but that might just be me.

I like it ! ( 'cept for the hole )

Raymo - Most campaign medals and tokens were issued with the hole - as they were meant to be suspended from clothing with a hanger or ribbon, so it really doesn't affect value to us collectors of these. It's rare or impossible to find them without a hole.