1915 Medal Pan-Pac Expo Silvered-Brass San Francisco

Coin Details

Auction Record

$500 AU55 06-05-2018 eBay

Description

The 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition silvered brass medal from San Francisco is a silver-plated commemorative from the world's fair. The silvered brass finish — created by electroplating a thin layer of silver over a brass substrate — gave this medal a bright, coin-like appearance that distinguished it from the warmer tones of bronze and gilt versions. Silvered medals occupied a middle tier in the hierarchy of exposition souvenirs, offering a more refined appearance than plain brass while remaining affordable for the mass market. The Panama-Pacific International Exposition drew visitors from around the world to San Francisco between February and December 1915. The fair's exhibition palaces housed displays of technology, agriculture, fine arts, and manufactured goods from dozens of participating nations. For many visitors, the exposition represented their first encounter with innovations like wireless telegraphy, the transcontinental telephone (demonstrated by Alexander Graham Bell during the fair), and the recently completed Panama Canal, which was celebrated through elaborate exhibits and models. Silvered brass medals from the Panama-Pacific Exposition are part of an extensive series of souvenir pieces that documented virtually every aspect of the fair. The silver plating on these medals is often partially or wholly worn away on surviving examples, revealing the yellow brass beneath — a condition that may actually increase the piece's appeal to collectors who appreciate the evidence of age and handling that connects the object to its original context as a well-loved souvenir.

Rarity Notes

Silvered brass was a common composition for mid-tier exposition souvenirs. The silver plating frequently shows wear on surviving examples. Available in the secondary market with condition varying considerably.

Cross References

PCGS #626676; Panama-Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco 1915