Fenner & Beane, New York - New Orleans Medal

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This rare bronze medallion was made by Wall Street legend Fenner & Beane in the 1920s to early 1930s. Fenner & Beane was founded in 1919 and would become the 2nd largest brokerage in the United States. They got their start by primarily trading in cotton out of New Orleans. They expanded quickly throughout the South and Midwest trading in commodities and eventually moving to New York. Trading volumed plummeted during the Great Depression and they subsequently merged with Merrill Lynch, E.A. Pierce and Cassatt in 1941 to become Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Beane.

This medal was made to promote their Direct Private Wire Network throughout the South. This was a big deal at the time. Their direct private wires connected brokers throughout the South and New York to facilitate trading. This medal is also a fantastic piece of memorabilia listing many regional Exchanges that are now gone such as the Louisiana Sugar & Rice Exchange (1884-1963), New York Produce Exchange (1861-1973), New York Curb Market (became AMEX in 1953), and so many more. Fantastic piece!