1892 Medal Eglit-101 Silver-Plated Copper World's Columbian Expo

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,440 MS65 04-03-2019 Heritage Auctions

Description

This 1892 silver-plated copper medal, cataloged as Eglit-101, represents one of the more attractive compositions in this prolific design series from the World's Columbian Exposition. Silver plating over a copper substrate gave the medal the bright, lustrous appearance of solid silver at a fraction of the cost, making it a premium souvenir for visitors who wanted something more impressive than bare bronze or aluminum but could not justify the expense of a solid silver piece. The silver-plating technique used for exposition medals of this period typically involved electroplating — immersing the copper blank in a silver salt solution and passing electrical current through it to deposit a thin layer of silver on the surface. The quality and thickness of the plating varied by manufacturer, and over 130 years the plating worn through on high points, developed tarnish, or been polished away by well-meaning but misguided cleaning attempts. Silver-plated copper medals occupy an interesting position in the WCE collecting hierarchy. They are visually impressive when well preserved, combining the weight and heft of copper with the bright finish of silver. The Eglit-101 design in this composition was among the higher-priced souvenir options available to fairgoers, positioned just below the genuinely rare solid silver pieces at the top of the market.

Rarity Notes

Scarcer than plain copper or bronze versions. Silver-plated pieces with intact, untarnished plating are particularly desirable. Many surviving examples show partial wear-through of the silver layer. Moderate rarity.

Cross References

Eglit-101; PCGS #653279