1939 Medal Golden Gate Expo Brass China Clipper

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,292 AU50 01-07-2013 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1939 Golden Gate Exposition brass China Clipper medal commemorates the Golden Gate International Exposition held on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay in 1939-1940. The "China Clipper" reference identifies this medal with the Pan American Airways Martin M-130 flying boats that inaugurated transpacific air service between San Francisco and Manila in November 1935. The China Clipper became one of the most iconic aircraft of the 1930s, symbolizing the glamorous potential of long-range air travel. The brass composition and the China Clipper theme place this medal at the intersection of two major subjects in American material culture — world's fair memorabilia and aviation history. The Golden Gate International Exposition was held on a 400-acre artificial island built specifically for the fair in the middle of San Francisco Bay. The exposition celebrated the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, both recently opened, and promoted San Francisco as the gateway to the Pacific. Pan American's transpacific service, operated by the China Clipper and sister ships Philippine Clipper and Hawaii Clipper, represented the cutting edge of aviation technology. The four-engine flying boats carried passengers and mail across the world's largest ocean in a series of island-hopping flights that took approximately six days. The romance of the Clipper service made it a natural subject for exposition medals, connecting San Francisco's identity as a Pacific Rim city with the futuristic technology being celebrated at the fair.

Rarity Notes

Golden Gate International Exposition souvenirs were produced in moderate quantities. The China Clipper theme adds interest for aviation collectors. Brass medals from the fair are available but not abundant.

Cross References

PCGS #794784; Golden Gate International Exposition, Treasure Island 1939-1940; Pan American Airways China Clipper