1904 Medal H-30-70 Gilt Copper Louisiana Purchase Expo

Coin Details

Description

This 1904 gilt copper medal from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition is cataloged as H-30-70 in the Hendershott reference, sharing the same die pairing as the silver version but struck on a copper planchet with a gilt finish. The gilding process gave the copper medal a golden appearance that elevated its visual appeal above plain bronze while remaining far less expensive to produce than a solid gold piece. Gilt copper medals occupied an interesting niche in exposition medallic programs, offering the aesthetic impression of precious metal at a fraction of the cost. Hendershott H-30-70 in gilt copper represents a distinct variety within the fair's medallic output. The Louisiana Purchase Exposition's medal program encompassed multiple compositions for many designs, allowing collectors then and now to pursue complete sets across different metals. The gilt finish on copper was a technique with deep roots in European and American medallic tradition, and its use at the 1904 fair reflects the sophisticated production capabilities available to medal manufacturers of the early twentieth century. The St. Louis exposition medals remain among the most actively collected world's fair issues in American numismatics.

Rarity Notes

Scarce gilt copper variety. H-30-70 in Hendershott catalog. Gilt copper issues were produced in smaller numbers than plain bronze, and the gilt surface is often worn or stripped on surviving examples.

Cross References

PCGS #888062; Hendershott H-30-70