Commems Collection Classic: 1892-93 World's Columbian Exposition & Wells Fargo

The World's Columbian Exposition Company did not create an official decorative holder for its souvenir half dollar, but many unofficial holders were created by private companies - with a number created by banks.

While they aren't plentiful on the market, the holders do appear from time to time at coins shows, auctions, online auction platforms, etc. As they aren't official holders, I have not gone "crazy" with seeking out these pieces, but how can I call myself a "commemorative specialist" without at least picking up one or two over the years?

So, here's the first one I picked up about right years ago...

The first Columbian Exposition half dollar holder I purchased was the custom-printed "Employee Appreciation" holder prepared by the Wells Fargo & Company. Wells Fargo made a bulk purchase of the coins and created one of the Exposition's more interesting pieces of coin-related collectible ephemera.

I spotted one in a dealer's showcase more than a decade ago, but his asking price was far beyond what I was willing to pay. I visited the piece for a number of years while attending the large coin and paper money show in Baltimore, but never did buy it from him. I eventually came across one on-line for about a third of his asking price and was happy to make the purchase.

Now, back to the Wells Fargo story...

Aware of its history and its role in supporting the development of the American West, Wells Fargo mounted its first-ever historical exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition; it was located in the California Building. The exhibit featured a collection of more than 200 historical artifacts, including historical photographs of company employees and offices, signs and posters used to promote its business and various noteworthy pieces of company correspondence. Also included in the exhibit were "Cut-off" shotguns used by company employees to defend their shipments and a shotgun used by the infamous outlaw "Black Bart" (real name: Charles E. Boles) who robbed Wells Fargo stagecoaches 28 different times!

Of note for numismatists, was exhibit item number 167. It was listed as "A Keepsake" and described as an 1892 "Columbian Souvenir Coin" presented along with its display card and a copy of the letter President John J. Valentine sent to employees regarding the coin.

In the letter, Valentine announced that the company had purchased a quantity of the Columbian half dollars and would be presenting each employee with a "Souvenir Coin" as an "aid in perpetuating a pleasant recollection of the great commemorative event of the present year, to wit, the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, Illinois, and to secure at the same time a little remembrance of our friendly interest in you individually, in appreciation of your faithful services."

Valentine continued, "The coins are designed simply as souvenirs or keepsakes, and as such will, it is thought, enhance in value from year to year. It is in this spirit our presentation is made, with the hope that as a token of our regard they will be prized and preserved."

To receive a coin, employees applied to either their Superintendent or Route Agent; Office Agents and their reports were to request coins via their Superintendent, Messengers were to apply through their Route Agent.

The coins were distributed in custom-printed card board holders that allowed both sides of the coin to be seen. The front of the card was pink in color and featured descriptive text regarding the coin's commemorative nature and noted its intent as a presentation piece. The back of the card was green and featured a message from John J. Valentine: "A Keepsake from Wells, Fargo & Company. / In Token of Regard / And in appreciation of faithful services."

The coin and presentation card were not available for sale to the general public. The Wells Fargo archives indicate that 1,666 of the coins in the presentation holders were distributed to employees, with 124 applied for coins left undistributed for unidentified reasons. Clearly, not all of the company's 6,000 employees applied for one of the coins when they had the chance.

I'm happy to include this historical piece in my collection, and consider it to be one of its highlights. Wells Fargo was central to the development of the American West, and to have a coin and its original holder as distributed by the company makes for a great story. (At least IMO!)

1893 Wells Fargo Souvenir Coin Holder (and Envelope) for World's Columbian Exposition





To read more about the Columbian Exposition - Columbus half dollar, check out:

- 1892 Columbian Exposition
- 1892 Columbian Exposition - Cousins
- 1892 Columbian Exposition - Special Day Badges
- 1892 Columbian Exposition - Metallic Ephemera

For more of my posts on the Columbian Exposition and other commemorative coins and medal, see Read More: Commems Collection.

Next time out - a leather pouch coin holder from the World's Columbian Exposition.