1893 Medal Eglit-34 Aluminum World's Fair Chicago

Coin Details

Description

This 1893 aluminum medal, cataloged as Eglit-34 in Levine's reference, was produced as a souvenir of the World's Fair held in Chicago. Aluminum was itself a novelty material during the Columbian Exposition era — although commercially produced since the 1880s following the Hall-Heroult electrolytic process, it remained relatively exotic and expensive compared to bronze or white metal. Medals struck in aluminum carried an air of modernity that complemented the Exposition's forward-looking technological message. The World's Fair designation on this piece refers to the common popular name for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. While the official name honored Columbus's voyage, fairgoers and manufacturers frequently used "World's Fair" in everyday parlance and on souvenir merchandise. Chicago's Jackson Park site was transformed into the famed White City under the direction of architect Daniel Burnham, landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted, and sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who oversaw the artistic program. Aluminum souvenir medals from the 1893 fair are collected as a distinct subset within the broader WCE series, prized both for their Exposition connection and as early examples of commercial aluminum use. The lightweight metal allowed for larger medals without the heft of bronze, though its softness made pieces vulnerable to scratches and dings during the rough handling typical of pocket souvenirs.

Rarity Notes

Aluminum medals from the 1893 World's Fair are less common than bronze or white metal examples due to aluminum's higher cost at the time. Surviving pieces often show wear consistent with pocket carry. Moderately scarce.

Cross References

Eglit-34; PCGS #639010