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

Coin Details

Auction Record

$558 06-29-2012 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1893 white metal medal at 50 millimeters is the affordable companion to the bronze version of Eglit-54 in Levine's World's Columbian Exposition catalog. White metal — a general term for tin-based alloys — allowed manufacturers to offer the same 50mm design at a lower price than bronze, making the larger format accessible to a wider range of fairgoers. The trade-off was durability: white metal is softer and more prone to damage than bronze, and surviving examples often show the effects of 130 years of handling and storage. The Eglit-54 design in white metal captures the same artistic content as its bronze counterpart but in a material that reflects the democratic ethos of the Columbian Exposition itself. The fair's organizers deliberately set admission at fifty cents — a price that, while not trivial in 1893 dollars, was accessible to most working Americans. Similarly, white metal souvenirs extended the commemorative experience to visitors who could not afford bronze or silver keepsakes. At 50mm, this white metal piece required careful handling from the moment of purchase. White metal medals of this era are notoriously fragile — the alloy can develop porosity over time, and the pieces are easily bent, scratched, or corroded by moisture. Specimens in excellent condition are genuinely uncommon despite the high original production numbers.

Rarity Notes

High original production but low survival rate in quality condition due to the fragile nature of white metal at 50mm. Examples with crisp detail and minimal corrosion or porosity are scarce. Common in lower grades.

Cross References

Eglit-54; PCGS #655372