1892-93 Medal Elgit-55 Aluminum World's Columbian Expo

Coin Details

Auction Record

$234 MS63PL 08-29-2018 Heritage Auctions

Description

This aluminum medal dated 1892-93, listed as Elgit-55 (a common alternate spelling of Eglit), was produced for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The aluminum composition reflects the era's fascination with this then-novel metal, which had only become commercially practical in the late 1880s following development of the Hall-Heroult electrolytic reduction process. Aluminum's light weight and bright silvery color made it an attractive alternative to heavier white metal for exposition souvenirs. The dual 1892-93 date on this medal spans the full period of the Columbian celebration, from the 1892 dedication ceremonies through the 1893 operating season of the fair. This dating convention appears on a subset of Columbian Exposition medals and is neither more nor less "correct" than single-year dating — it simply reflects the manufacturer's choice to acknowledge the extended timeline of the Columbian commemoration. Aluminum exposition medals from the 1890s serve double duty as collectibles — they are sought both by WCE medal collectors and by those who specialize in early commercial aluminum artifacts. The metal was still expensive enough in 1892-93 to carry a novelty premium, and the choice to strike medals in aluminum was itself a statement about technological progress that aligned with the Exposition's celebration of four centuries of advancement since Columbus.

Rarity Notes

Aluminum composition makes this less common than bronze or white metal versions of the Eglit-55 design. Early 1890s aluminum pieces are collected as both WCE medals and early aluminum artifacts. Moderate scarcity.

Cross References

Eglit-55 (also spelled Elgit-55); PCGS #598876