Commems Collection Classic: 1904-05 Lewis And Clark Exposition - Historical Tidbits

Here are a few quick and interesting notes about the 1904-05 Lewis and Clark Exposition Gold Dollars gathered from contemporary news releases:

Historical Tidbit #1

Sales for the coin apparently got off to a good start: "Lewis and Clark souvenir gold dollars which sell for $2 each, are proving popular, as was expected, and the first issue of 25,000, will soon be exhausted if the demand for the souvenirs continues."

History tells us that demand most definitely did not "continue," with net mintage figures for the coins of 1904 and 1905 each totaling ~10,000 - less than the number returned to the Mint to be melted from each year. A total mintage of 250,000 coins was authorized.


Historical Tidbit #2

The first 25,000 gold dollars were delivered to the First National Bank of Portland Oregon in October 1904. The coins were received on behalf of the Lewis and Clark Centennial and American Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair Company (organizers of the Exposition). It was reported that "The exposition management is confident of a large sale of the unusual souvenirs." Hope springs etermnal!


Historical Tidbit #3

A Committee of ~250 young women was formed to promote sales of the commemorative gold coins in advance of the Lewis and Clark Exposition. The Committee sent what was described as "The first coin to be put into circulation" to the First Young Lady - Alice Roosevelt (daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and his first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt, who died two days after giving birth). The First Young Lady was 20 years old at the time.


Historical Tidbit #4

Jewelry sales were reported as strong: "Jewelers are tastefully mounting the coins for scarf pins, brooches, and pendants for watch fobs, and in this form they are selling rapidly." Once again, a bit of sales promotion hyperbole.


1904-05 Lewis and Clark Exposition Gold Dollar



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more about the Lewis and Clark Exposition gold coins, see: Commems Collection.