1892 Medal Eglit-106 Bronzed Bronze 102mm World's Columbian Expo

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,280 MS65BN 08-22-2021 Heritage Auctions

Description

This 1892 bronzed copper medal at a massive 102 millimeters, cataloged as Eglit-106, is one of the largest pieces in the entire World's Columbian Exposition medal series. At over four inches in diameter, this is unambiguously a cabinet or display piece, produced for collectors, institutions, or presentation purposes rather than for casual souvenir sales. The "bronzed" finish indicates an artificial patination applied to the copper surface to achieve the dark, uniform brown color associated with fine art medals. The 102mm format was exceptional for privately produced commemorative medals of this era. Striking a medal of this diameter required specialized equipment — heavy presses capable of delivering the enormous tonnage needed to flow metal across such a large die surface — and the cost of producing 102mm dies was substantially greater than for standard sizes. These factors ensured that production quantities for the 102mm Eglit-106 were inherently small. Large-format exposition medals in the 100mm-plus range are among the most prized pieces in the WCE collecting field. They represent the artistic ambitions of the medal-making craft at their fullest, with design details rendered at a scale that allows appreciation of even the finest engraving work. The Eglit-106 design appears in both this bronzed copper version and a white metal variant, offering collectors a choice between the refined bronzed finish and the brighter appearance of white metal.

Rarity Notes

Rare large-format medal. The 102mm size severely limited production quantities, and the bronzed copper version is among the more challenging Eglit types to acquire. Surviving examples must be evaluated for edge damage and surface quality at this large size.

Cross References

Eglit-106; PCGS #860663