The 1884 World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition was held in New Orleans at least in part to advertise the city’s commercial revitalization following the end of the Reconstruction era. Also to commemorate the centennial of the first shipment of cotton from the United States to England and to advertise the cotton industry.
Award and Souvenir Medals – 1884 New Orleans World’s Fair
These medals pictured below, were crafted as symbols of achievement and memorabilia, embodying the grandeur and spirit of the event. While the exact number of medals issued remains detailed in the archives, it is known that they were produced in various categories, signifying different levels of recognition—gold for top honors, followed by silver and bronze. Additionally, souvenir medals were minted for visitors to carry a piece of this historical occasion with them, capturing the essence of the exposition and the vibrant city of New Orleans. These medals remain cherished collectibles, tangible connections to the legacy of one of the most significant expositions of the 19th century.
New Orleans Cotton Centennial 1884 Bronze Award Medal – 3 Inch Size Medal
This is a bronze 3″ award medal from the World Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition held in New Orleans in 1884-5. Minted by P.L. Krider in Philadelphia.
1884 Bronze Award Medal New Orleans Cotton Centennial
Reads “Awarded by The World’s Industrial And Cotton Centennial Exposition” New Orleans
1884-85 World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition Medal – 2 Inch Size Medal
Copper or Bronze, approx. 4 mm thick; 51 mm (approx. 2.0 in.) diameter. The obverse features two allegorical figures: Lady Liberty stands holding Phrygian Cap and laurel crown; and Columbia(?) sits behind US shield, holding a sword. Around them are various symbols of agriculture and industry (sheaf of grain, cotton plant, locomotive, stem boat, smoking factory and gears); ribbon legend reads “New Orleans” and inscribed along bottom reads “1884-5” [Note, the inscription identifying the artist “P. L. Krider Co., Phila.” does NOT appear in this 51mm version of the coin, although it does appear in the larger (73mm) version I have seen posted on coin auction and museum sites.]
1884-85 World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition Medal – 2 Inch Size Medal
The reverse depicts corn, tobacco, wheat and other plants, a beehive and two medallions. Inscribed at center is “AWARDED BY THE WORLDS INDUSTRIAL AND COTTON CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION”
1885 1886 New Orleans – North, Central and South American Exposition Award Medal
1886.Bronze 260 grams, 73.3mm. Obv. THE THREE AMERICAS, Buffalo with Religion, Columbia and two Indians in feather headdress.
1885 1886 New Orleans – North, Central and South American Exposition Award Medal
Rev. Wreath of cotton, tobacco, corn and wheat encloses 8-line inscription of this little-known New Orleans exposition. Charming style, much mint red luster.
1884-5 Souvenir Medal from The World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Expo in New Orleans
This medal/token is listed in “UNITED STATES TRADE TOKENS 1866-1889,” by Russell Rulau: Rulau # La-NO 52 1885 Brass 26mm and Plain Edge.
1884-5 Souvenir Medal from The World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Expo in New Orleans
Reverse of this souvenir medal 1884.
Silver souvenir medal from 1884-5 from The World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition in New Orleans
Silver souvenir medal from 1884-5 from The World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition in New Orleans
Reverse side of above medal
1886 North, Central & South American Exposition Medal
The medal is listed in the 4th edition of the Standard Catalog of United States Tokens 1700-1900 on page 652 with catalog number Rulau La-NO 29. This medal is 1 1/4 inch in diameter, made of silvered white metal. The obverse shows the Expo building in the center and above it reads THE MAIN BUILDING and below 1378 BY 905 FEET. At the bottom there is a shield flanked by four flags.
1886 North, Central & South American Exposition Medal
On the reverse there is a globe showing the Western Hemisphere. 1885 a the North Pole and 1886 at the South Pole and around the outside it reads NORTH, CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICAN EXPOSITION, NEW ORLEANS. This is a very nice medal in outstanding condition.
1886 North, Central & South American Exposition Medal
High grade unc, proof like with frosted dives, striking cameo medal, white metal, super detailed obv artwork.
1886 North, Central & South American Exposition Medal
Impressive white metal, super detailed artwork. Cotton bale in center.
HK 144 B – Medal 1885 Cotton Centennial Exposition New Orleans Louisiana Liberty Bell Loan
37.8mm white metal. Proclaim Liberty Throughout The Land To All The Inhabitants Thereof . Philada By Order Of The Pass And Stow Philada MDCCLIII on bell
HK 144 B – Medal 1885 Cotton Centennial Exposition New Orleans Louisiana Liberty Bell Loan
Reverse By Joint Resolution Of The Councils Of The City Of Philadelphia The Liberty Bell Loaned To The Worlds Industrial And Cotton Centennial Exposition Of New Orleans LA 1885
Director’s medal The World’s Industrial And Cotton Centennial Exposition
38 mm. Hon. E.A. Burke, Direcor Gen’l (Burke)
Director’s medal The World’s Industrial And Cotton Centennial Exposition
The First Bale Of Cotton was Shipped From New Orleans A Hundred Years Ago, 1884 & 1885 (Cotton Bale). Rulau La NO-58, silver plated white metal, holed for suspension as made.
Hon. E.A. Burke, Direcor Gen’l (Burke) medal The World’s Industrial And Cotton Centennial Exposition
Hon. E.A. Burke, Direcor Gen’l (Burke) // The First Bale Of Cotton was Shipped From New Orleans A Hundred Years Ago, 1884 & 1885 (Cotton Bale). Rulau La NO-58, silver plated white metal, holed for suspension as made.
Hon. E.A. Burke, Direcor Gen’l (Burke) medal The World’s Industrial And Cotton Centennial Exposition
Hon. E.A. Burke, Director Gen’l (Burke) // The Main Building, 1378 by 905 feet medal. Rulau La NO-58, silver plated white metal, holed for suspension as made.
World Globe *THE WORLD’S Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition
New Orleans, LA 1884 – 1885 Dimensions: 1 5/8″ Diameter Front – World Globe *THE WORLD’S Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition medal
World Globe *THE WORLD’S Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition
Medal 1884 – 1885 Back – New Orleans, LA Heavily Detailed Cotton Fields and Workers, 1884.Condition – Very Good to Excellent – Wonderful, Crisp Detail of Cotton Field.
1885 WOOD SOUVENIR*THE WORLD’S Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition
1885 WOOD SOUVENIR COIN MARKED “THE WORLD’S INDUSTRIAL COTTON CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION IN NEW ORLEANS 1885”. PASSED OUT BY & MARKED “COMPLIMENTS MICHIGAN STOVE CO. DETROIT, CHICAGO, BUFFALO” “GARLAND STOVES AND RANGES”. CHECK OUT PICTURES THIS IS A EXCEPTIONAL ITEM FROM 1885, AND VERY DETAILED AT 1 5/8″ ROUND & QUITE THICK MADE OF ALL WOOD.
1885 WOOD SOUVENIR TOKEN *THE WORLD’S Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition
1885 WOOD SOUVENIR TOKEN MARKED “THE PASSED OUT BY & MARKED “COMPLIMENTS MICHIGAN STOVE CO. DETROIT, CHICAGO, BUFFALO” “GARLAND STOVES AND RANGES”. CHECK OUT PICTURES THIS IS A EXCEPTIONAL ITEM FROM 1885, AND VERY DETAILED AT 1 5/8″ ROUND & QUITE THICK MADE OF ALL WOOD.
Medal SOUVENIR of the WORLD’S Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition
Metal coin with raised image of Main Bldg in center; reverse “Souvenir/of/the/World’s/Industrial/and/Cotton/Exposition” with laurel wreath. Size: 1.25″ diam”
Medal SOUVENIR of the WORLD’S Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition
Metal coin with raised image of Main Building in center; reverse Size: 1.25″ diam”
Medal from the 1885-1886 North, Central, and South
Medal from the 1885-1886 North, Central, and South American Exposition held in New Orleans, Louisiana. The obverse pictures a proud eagle standing on a crescent, which has the dates 1885-6 on it, “New Orleans” to the right and left, with the initials “J.R.B.” neatly stamped below.
Medal from the 1885-1886 North, Central, and South
Medal from the 1885-1886 North, Central, and South American Exposition held in New Orleans, Louisiana. The reverse of the medal pictures a shield within a trefoil, surrounded by the exposition name. It is struck in Gilt Brass, 25 mm in diameter
Bronze Eagle Medal
“World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial” are inscribed around an elaborate design of an Eagle with a banner in its beak, perched on a U.S. shield with a chained connection to two other shields. One shield is inscribed “Justice” with scales, and the other shield is that of the National Cotton Producers Association inscribed “N.C.P.A.” with a bale of cotton. Below these two shields is “1884-5” over the word “Exposition”, cradled by a banner joining the Justice and N.C.P.A. shields together and inscribed with the words “New Orleans”.
Bronze Eagle Medal
Exposition building pictured on bronze medal from New Orleans Exposition 1884. Reverse side of above medal.
HK-142 1885 WORLDS INDUSTRIAL & COTTON EXPO NEW ORLEANS
HK-142 1885 WORLDS INDUSTRIAL & COTTON EXPO NEW ORLEANS
Exposition building medal/token New Orleans Exposition
NEW ORLEANS MAIN BUILDING 1884-5 MEDAL
Exposition Main Building medal/token New Orleans Exposition
Souvenir Bookmark 1884 Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition
The 1884 New Orleans World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition was a grand event that aimed to showcase the South’s progress and potential after the Reconstruction era. It attracted many notable figures, featured several unique and first-time exhibits, and introduced products that would leave a lasting impression.
Notable Attendees:
Among the esteemed visitors were President Chester A. Arthur, who officially opened the exposition, and Jefferson Davis, the former President of the Confederate States of America. Their presence underscored the fair’s national significance.
Unusual and First-Time Exhibits:
One of the most extraordinary exhibits was a display of electric lighting, something that many Americans had never seen before. The fair also featured the first Mexican exhibit at a U.S. exposition, highlighting the cultural and commercial ties between the neighboring nations.
Well-Known Products Introduced:
This exposition saw the introduction of several products that would become part of American life. Bird’s-eye maple, a wood with a distinctive pattern, was showcased and would become popular for furniture. Additionally, the fair featured early versions of steam-powered machinery that would revolutionize agriculture and industry.
The fair itself was set against the backdrop of New Orleans, a city known for its vibrant culture and history. While the exposition was deemed a financial failure, its impact on the promotion of Southern industry and innovation was undeniable, and it left a mark on the cultural landscape of the United States.