1893 Medal Eglit-90 Gilt-Bronze 77mm World's Columbian Expo

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,560 SP66 08-25-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1893 gilt-bronze medal at an impressive 77 millimeters, cataloged as Eglit-90, is the premier version of the Sociedad Rural Argentina design from the World's Columbian Exposition series. At 77mm in diameter and finished in gilt bronze, this is unmistakably a presentation-grade medal rather than a casual souvenir — produced for distribution to Argentine dignitaries, exhibition judges, award recipients, or high-ranking Exposition officials. The 77mm diameter places this among the largest medals in the entire WCE series and is consistent with the standard size for formal award and presentation medals at 19th-century international expositions. The gilt bronze finish further elevates the piece, approximating the appearance of gold without the prohibitive cost. Medals of this caliber were typically produced in very small quantities, often numbered in the dozens rather than thousands. The Sociedad Rural Argentina's involvement in the Columbian Exposition reflected Argentina's position as one of the world's leading agricultural exporters in the 1890s. The society organized Argentina's livestock and agricultural displays, competing for awards against exhibitors from established agricultural powers. Presentation medals like this gilt bronze Eglit-90 were part of the international diplomatic and commercial exchange that underpinned the Exposition's role as a marketplace for global trade relationships.

Rarity Notes

Rare presentation medal. The combination of 77mm size, gilt bronze composition, and Argentine origin makes this one of the scarcer pieces in the WCE medal series. Production was almost certainly limited to a small number of presentation examples.

Cross References

Eglit-90; PCGS #817769; Sociedad Rural Argentina