1893 Medal Elgit-371 Copper-Nickel World's Columbian Expo

Coin Details

Description

This 1893 copper-nickel medal, listed as Elgit-371, is an unusual composition variant in the World's Columbian Exposition medal series. Copper-nickel — the same alloy used for United States five-cent pieces — was an uncommon choice for exposition medals, which were far more typically struck in bronze, white metal, aluminum, or silver-plated copper. The use of copper-nickel for this piece gives it a silvery-gray appearance similar to white metal but with substantially greater hardness and durability. The Eglit-371 number falls in the upper reaches of Levine's catalog, among the less frequently encountered types. Copper-nickel at this catalog level is particularly noteworthy because the alloy required more specialized metallurgical preparation than simple bronze or tin-based white metal. The higher melting point and greater hardness of copper-nickel also demanded more powerful press equipment and resulted in greater die wear, factors that would have limited production quantities. The choice of copper-nickel for a WCE medal may reflect the manufacturer's desire to produce a piece with the bright appearance of white metal but without the softness and fragility that plague tin-based alloys. Copper-nickel medals from this era survive in notably better condition than their white metal counterparts, making this Elgit-371 an enduring artifact of the Columbian Exposition souvenir industry.

Rarity Notes

Rare composition for WCE medals. Copper-nickel was very seldom used for exposition souvenirs, making this piece unusual within the Eglit series. The high catalog number compounds the rarity. Few examples are known.

Cross References

Eglit-371 (also spelled Elgit-371); PCGS #598875