1893 Medal Eglit-54 Bronze 50mm World's Columbian Expo

Coin Details

Auction Record

$528 PR64BN 12-21-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1893 bronze medal, cataloged as Eglit-54 in Levine's reference, measures a substantial 50 millimeters in diameter. The 50mm format places this piece in the category of larger display-quality medals from the World's Columbian Exposition, intended more for preservation in a collector's cabinet than for pocket carry. Bronze at this size offered an affordable yet impressive souvenir that could capture design details with good fidelity. The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 was a watershed event in American cultural history. Beyond the technological marvels and architectural splendor of the White City, the fair served as a stage for significant cultural moments — Frederick Jackson Turner delivered his famous frontier thesis at the fair's associated academic congress, the Pledge of Allegiance gained national prominence through its promotion at the Exposition, and the fair's Midway Plaisance established the template for modern amusement parks. Bronze medals in the 50mm range represent a middle tier in the hierarchy of WCE commemoratives — larger and more detailed than common pocket tokens, but less expensive than silver or gilt specimens. This Eglit-54 piece would have been available from vendors within the fairgrounds or through mail-order catalogs published by exhibitors and souvenir dealers who capitalized on the enormous public interest in the Columbian anniversary.

Rarity Notes

Moderately scarce in bronze at 50mm. The larger format was produced in smaller quantities than pocket-sized pieces. Bronze examples survive well due to the metal's durability, though original surfaces are valued.

Cross References

Eglit-54; PCGS #807317