1893 Medal Eglit-35a U.S. Presidents Bronze Columbian Exposition

Coin Details

Description

This 1893 bronze medal, cataloged as Eglit-35a, features portraits of United States Presidents and was issued in conjunction with the Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. Presidential portrait medals formed a popular subcategory of Exposition souvenirs, connecting the nation's highest office to the celebration of four centuries of post-Columbian history. The "a" suffix in the Eglit catalog number indicates a die variety or compositional variant within the broader Eglit-35 series. The Columbian Exposition provided an ideal occasion for commemorating the American presidency, as the fair itself was authorized by an act of Congress and signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison. President Grover Cleveland, who had returned to office in March 1893, personally opened the Exposition on May 1 by pressing a golden telegraph key that activated the fair's electrical machinery. The presidential theme on medals like Eglit-35a thus reflected both the historical sweep of the Columbian anniversary and the contemporary political moment. Bronze was the most widely used metal for Columbian Exposition medals of moderate size and quality. Its durability ensured that pieces survived rough handling better than softer white metal alternatives, and its warm reddish-brown patina gave medals an appearance of substance and permanence appropriate for presidential portraiture.

Rarity Notes

Bronze presidential portrait medals from the Columbian Exposition are moderately available, though the specific Eglit-35a variety may be scarcer than the primary Eglit-35 issue. Condition-sensitive due to high-relief portrait details.

Cross References

Eglit-35a; PCGS #928775