Welcome to our dedicated page for the award medals of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and Columbian Exposition. This exposition commemorated the four hundredth anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s discovery of America, celebrating a milestone in history with grandeur and innovation.
Award Medals 1892/1893 Chicago World’s Fair & Columbian Exposition
1893 GILT MEDAL OF THE CHICAGO WORLD’S FAIR & COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION – OFFICIAL MEDAL 76.3MM (Obverse)
Central Figure: The obverse side of the medal features a prominent depiction of Christopher Columbus. He stands with his arms outstretched, looking upwards, symbolizing his vision and determination. Columbus is dressed in historical attire, indicative of the late 15th century.
Inscriptions: The inscription to the right of Columbus reads: “CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS OCT. XII MCCCCXCII,” marking the date of Columbus’s first landing in the New World on October 12, 1492.
Artist’s Signature: At the bottom of the medal, the artist’s signature, “AUGUSTUS SAINT-GAUDENS,” can be found, crediting the renowned sculptor who designed the obverse of this medal. This medal may look gold, but I think it is gilt, that would be made of bronze or silver and then gilded with a thin layer of gold.
Reverse Side of the Gilt Medal (above)
Central Elements: The reverse side features two allegorical angles with wings, representing fame and knowledge. They are holding a globe and trumpet, symbolizing the global significance of the exposition and the spread of knowledge.
Inscriptions: Two erect flaming torching are on either side of the plaque which the central inscription reads: “WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION IN COMMEMORATION OF THE FOUR HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LANDING OF COLUMBUS MDCCCXCII – MDCCCXCIII.” Below this, there is a band intended for the recipient’s name, in this case, “TO NARIANO LABRIOLA.”
Additional Elements: At the bottom of the medal, there is a depiction of Columbus’s ship, the Santa Maria, sailing across the ocean waves.
Artist’s Signature: At the bottom right, the inscription “C. E. BARBER FECIT” credits Charles E. Barber, the chief engraver of the United States Mint who assisted in the design of the reverse of this medal. Interestingly, Saint-Gaudens who designed the obverse had an original concept for the reverse featuring a nude youth for the reverse met resistance and was abandoned for the busy and less skilled design by Barber that appeared on the reverse of the official, approved medal, creating unusual mating of designs.
BRONZE AWARD MEDAL 1893 CHICAGO WORLD’S FAIR & COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION
The chocolate-brown patina of the bronze medal enhances the legibility of the text and the overall aesthetic appeal of the piece and seems to be unique among the award medals of the expositions.
About the Medals of the CHICAGO WORLD’S FAIR & COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION 1892-1893
Official and Award Medals of the Exposition
Official Medal: This medal is often considered the official souvenir medal of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition as well as the award medal. It was designed to commemorate the event and the achievements of Christopher Columbus.
Award Medal: The medal shown is also the award medal presented to exhibitors and participants who demonstrated excellence in their respective fields at the exposition. It was made in various metals, including bronze, silver, gilt and gold. This doesn’t seem to be because of the level of the award, but maybe as the choice of the medal winners who paid the extra cost if other than bronze. This medal came in a white medal case. The US Mint made the hubs and dies of this medal while the actual striking of the medals was farmed out to the Scovill Manufacturing Company, which painstakingly produced 23,597 medals, creating and replacing the insert die for each individual awardee between strikings. The medals were ready only in 1896, long after the Expo had ended and closed.
Copies made for advertising tokens by award winners were few because Congress had to approve any advertising copies of this medal. However there has been reported there were some smaller advertising tokens with a copy of the design of a portion of this medal. Here is one example of an 38mm cooper advertising token. More about advertising tokens here. https://donaldscarinci.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Medals-of-the-1893-Worlds-Fair-00694704.pdf
Types of Award Medals: From the records there doesn’t seem to be award levels like gold, silver or bronze. The records simply say “awarded a medal”. Some account even say every exhibitor received a medal.
The total number of medals issued seems to be 23,597, but it is known that thousands of exhibitors from around the world received these awards. In one report it was noted that there were complaints that award medals were given too freely.
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/SERIALSET-04374_00_00-001-0510-0000/summary
This medal from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Charles E. Barber, serves both as a commemorative piece and an award for excellence. Its intricate design and historical significance make it a prized collectible among medal enthusiasts and historians.
Commemorative Medals Information:
The 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago was a treasure trove for collectors due to the vast array of commemorative medals issued. These medals celebrated the fair’s grandeur and its status as a global event. Produced in various metals, with the most common being bronze, silver, and gold, these medals were intricately designed, often featuring allegorical figures representing concepts like discovery, progress, and the industrial spirit of America. The medals were designed by noted sculptors and medalists of the time, which added to their artistic value. A great site showing other 1893 medals and elongated coins www.socalleddollars.com/Events/Worlds_Columbian_Expo.html
1893 Columbian Expo Declaration of Independence Dollar HK-157 by Boldenweck
The exposition also produced “so-called dollar” commemorative tokens and medals for visitors as souvenirs, which were sold or given away to remember the event.
Specific medals were also created for the Board of Lady Managers, a group that recognized women’s role in the fair and had its own building and exhibits.
Besides the official awards, various organizations and states also issued their medals to mark participation and commemorate the fair.
The medals from the 1893 Columbian Exposition remain highly sought after by collectors, not just for their historical significance but also for their beauty and the craftsmanship they exhibit. Each medal tells a story of the time when the United States was stepping onto the world stage as an industrial and cultural power.
What New Attractions or Products Were Introduced at the Chicago World’s Fair
The 1893 Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair, was a showcase of innovation, culture, and technology, marking the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the New World. The fair featured numerous attractions, products, and technological advancements, many of which were being introduced to the public for the first time.
Here are some highlights of what was showcased:
The Ferris Wheel: Designed by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., this was the first-ever Ferris wheel. It was created as a rival to the Eiffel Tower, the landmark of the 1889 Paris Exposition. The original Ferris wheel was a marvel of engineering and a major attraction at the fair.
Electricity: The fair was a significant showcase for electrical innovations. It featured the first comprehensive electrical display, including a nighttime lighting of the fairgrounds powered by Nikola Tesla’s alternating current system, which illuminated the White City and marked a turning point in how electricity was used in public spaces.
Moving Walkway: Known as the “traveling sidewalk,” it transported visitors along the bank of the lagoon in the Midway Plaisance area of the fair.
The Midway Plaisance: This was an avenue at the fair that featured amusements from around the world, including the Street in Cairo, which brought Middle Eastern culture to American audiences.
Cultural Exhibits: The exposition included various international pavilions showcasing the art, music, and culture of countries from around the world, contributing to a greater global awareness among attendees.
Industrial and Technological Exhibits: There were many exhibits of the latest industrial machines, agricultural developments, and technological inventions of the age.
The White City: This was the nickname for the fair’s exhibition halls, which were constructed to be temporary structures. Their neoclassical architecture, designed by Daniel Burnham and others, had a lasting influence on American architecture.
Consumer Products: Many products that would become household staples were introduced or popularized at the fair, including Cream of Wheat, Juicy Fruit gum, and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.
The Hall of Honor: This was where the award-winning inventions and works of industry were displayed. Here, visitors could see the cutting-edge advancements that had earned accolades during the fair.
The United States Government Building: It displayed maps, charts, and exhibits from various government departments, showcasing the nation’s growth and administration.
The 1893 Columbian Exposition was not just an exhibition; it was a cultural phenomenon that introduced Americans to a variety of cultural and technological wonders, many of which would become part of everyday life in the 20th century.