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Category: Exonumia

LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION, ST. LOUIS WORLD’S FAIR, BY ADOLPH A. WEINMAN, 1904

M083

Bronze, AU

64 mm (2.52”), 106 grams

HISTORY: The Louisiana Purchase Exposition, popularly referred to as the St. Louis World’s Fair (St. Louis, MO), ran from April 30 through December 1, 1904, celebrating the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase. It was attended by over 19 million visitors, focusing on history, art history, architecture, and anthropology.

OBVERSE: ”VNIVERSAL EXPOSITION SAINT LOUVIS, VNITED STATES OF AMERICA” encircles Liberty, with outstretched arms, unfurling the American flag, protecting and embracing a young girl. The coin, which was designed and signed by the iconic German-born American sculptor Adolph Alexander Weinman (1870–1953) includes the rising sun (a Weinman theme) in the background. Weinman’s work became a part of the fabric of American life with his design of the Mercury dime and the Walking Liberty half dollar (now the obverse of the American Silver Eagle dollar). His architectural and standing sculptures, as well as his many medals, have become legend. Roman numerals “MCMIV” (the year 1904) is at the bottom of the medal. To the right is the signature “A. WEINMAN”; below is “FECT” or possibly “EECT.” I have yet to find the meaning of these letters.

REVERSE: The words “BRONZE MEDAL, LOVISIANA PVRCHASE, EXPOSITION” are framed by an eagle with outstretched wings above and two dolphins to the lower right and left. A seashell adorns the center between the two dolphins while the eagle, above, clutches two olive branches.