1893 Medal Eglit-245 Al 31mm World's Columbian Expo

Coin Details

Description

This 1893 aluminum medal at 31 millimeters, cataloged as Eglit-245, is a compact World's Columbian Exposition souvenir in the lightweight metal. The 31mm diameter places this piece at the smaller end of the standard medal range — small enough for comfortable pocket carry but large enough to accommodate recognizable design elements. Aluminum at this size resulted in an extremely lightweight piece, barely noticeable in a pocket alongside heavier coins and tokens. The Eglit-245 designation falls in the upper portion of Levine's catalog, among designs that tend to be less widely known and less frequently traded than the core lower-numbered types. Higher Eglit numbers often represent regional productions, foreign-made pieces, or designs from smaller manufacturers who contributed to the diversity of the WCE medal series without producing the large quantities associated with the major souvenir firms. Small aluminum medals like Eglit-245 represent the most portable and affordable end of the WCE souvenir medal spectrum. These pieces were the equivalent of modern tourist trinkets — inexpensive, easy to carry, and purchased almost impulsively by visitors swept up in the excitement of the fairgrounds. Their survival in collections today owes more to the human instinct to save mementos than to any deliberate collecting strategy on the part of their original owners.

Rarity Notes

Moderately scarce aluminum medal. The higher Eglit number and small 31mm format suggest limited original production. Aluminum's softness means many surviving examples show contact marks and wear.

Cross References

Eglit-245; PCGS #832371