World's Columbian Exposition (1892-1893)

About This Coin

Celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago generated one of the most prolific outpourings of so-called dollars and medallic souvenirs in American numismatic history. The fair, which attracted over 27 million visitors across its 1893 run, produced dozens of distinct so-called dollar types struck in silver, aluminum, white metal, and copper by both official and private issuers. These dollar-sized medals depict exposition buildings (including the famous "White City"), portraits of Columbus, allegorical figures representing progress and civilization, and scenes of the fairgrounds along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The official commemorative half dollar struck for the exposition is cataloged separately, but the so-called dollars form a rich collecting category of their own within the National Commemorative & Expo So-Called Dollars series. The Columbian Exposition was a watershed event in American cultural history, introducing innovations from the Ferris wheel to alternating current electricity, and its medallic legacy reflects the optimism and ambition of Gilded Age America. Collectors pursuing a complete Columbian Exposition so-called dollar set face a satisfying challenge, as the variety of issuers and compositions creates a multi-layered collecting experience. A notable auction result reached $1.8K in MS67BN grade at Stack's Bowers.