Medals of 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair -Louisiana Purchase Exposition Collectibles

These are some of the most popular and collectable of all exposition medals. They are interesting because of their unique shapes and design, the unique material they are made of, and 5 levels of medals awarded. The exposition itself was popular and interesting also.

All of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition award medals were designed by Weinman and struck by the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia. The various award medals had different overall shapes, but common central designs. The awards were presented to the exhibiters, along with a diploma, rather than having engravings done on the medals themselves. 

The Engraver’s Notebook (U.S. Mint at Philadelphia) for 1906:
3,300 Grand Prize
9,000 Gold Medal
11,550 Silver Medal
10,000 Bronze Medal
6000 Commemorative (same as Gold award but with Commemorative in tablet on reverse.

All of the medals were issued in the new bronze alloy, which was at first called “government bronze.” The inscriptions on the tablets noting the award as “gold medal,” “silver medal,” etc. are merely descriptive of the class of the award and do not refer to the type of metal used. Most of the medals were struck in bronze (with a number of these plated with gold or silver), but recipients could request their medal be struck in gold or silver at their own expense. Few opted for this, however, and these medals are extremely rare.  Some have original boxes and some have display frames. These attractive medals were good ones to display.

More Detailed Description of the Design of the Award Medals of the 1904 St Louis Exposition including the medal above and the other award medals

A lovely bronze metal. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman (who later designed the Walking Liberty Half Dollar and Mercury Dime), as one of his earliest commissions for a struck medal. The engravings and medals were struck by the U.S. mint in Philadelphia.

The obverse of the medal depicts two female figures above the date MCMIV (1904). The tall taller figure is Columbia, with her arms spread wide holding the United States flag. The youthful maiden at her side represents the Louisiana Purchase Territory. Emblematic of her reception into the union, the maiden is divesting herself of the cloak of France, the material decorated with bees, the emblem of Napoleon. In the background is the rising sun, marking the dawn of a new era of progress to the nation. Encircling the two figures are the words “Universal Exposition – Saint Louis – United States of America.”

The reverse shows an architectural tablet inscribed with “Gold Medal” and “Louisiana Purchase Exposition”. Below the tablet are two dolphins symbolizing the nations’ eastern and western boundaries, the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Above the tablet is a large eagle with its wings spread. The inscription reads “Gold Medal (Silver and Bronze Medals were also given out) Louisiana Purchase Exposition 1904”. In addition to the medal a diploma of award was also given to the recipient. The medal weights approximately 3.5 ounces.

The medal is shaped as a 3-point shield, with 14 stars around the border and a wreath on each point. The wreath in the upper left corner has the letters “US” (representing the United States), the wreath in the upper right corner has the letters “NJ” (representing Napoleon and Jefferson), and the wreath in lower point has a Fleur de Lis

Below, this is the “Commemorative Medal” struck at the United States Mint, and designed by Adolph A. Weinman. It is the second lowest mintage of the five Award Medals given by the Exposition Jury, only the “Grand Prize” medal has fewer struck. Pictured on the obverse of the medal is the standard image which appears on all the five medals, and the reverse is the same as the other medals, except for the inscription on the tablet which reads “Commemorative Medal, Louisiana Purchase Exposition.” It is struck in Bronze, Triangular in shape, approximately 2 3/4″ by 2 3/4″ in size.

More about these 1904 medals on the NGC site.

About the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair

The 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, officially known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, was a monumental event that celebrated the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase. This international exposition showcased the latest advancements in technology, art, and science, while also providing a platform for cultural exchange among the many international participants. Spanning over 1,200 acres, the fair featured grand palaces housing exhibits, a towering Ferris wheel, and introduced the world to new foods and inventions that have since become commonplace. The fair’s legacy endures, marking St. Louis as a historic landmark of America’s progress at the dawn of the 20th century.