(1885) White Metal Medal Rulau MO-Sl-C25, St. Louis Enterprises Exposition

Coin Details

Description

White metal souvenir medal from the St. Louis Exposition, which held recurring exhibitions in the 1880s promoting Missouri's commercial and industrial enterprises. St. Louis was a major American industrial center, and these expositions attracted exhibitors from across the nation. The 'C25' designation indicates a specific catalog variant within Rulau's Missouri-St. Fantasy and novelty pieces occupy a distinct niche within American numismatics, appealing to collectors who appreciate creative design, popular culture references, and the playful extension of medallic traditions into contemporary themes. Bronze medals have served as the workhorse composition for American commemoratives, providing a durable and affordable medium that allowed broad distribution while maintaining the artistic quality of the original designs. Louis section.

Rarity Notes

Scarce nineteenth-century token in white metal. White metal examples are often encountered with surface oxidation or pitting from the alloy's susceptibility to environmental tarnish; choice examples with original surface intact are more collectible than the grades typically seen. The Rulau catalog documents this as a genuine numismatic item rather than a commercial counter or gaming piece.

Cross References

Rulau MO-Sl-C25; PCGS #896294