Owner Comments:
PREVIOUSLY FROM THE FAMOUS OSTHEIMER COLLECTION. A PROOFLIKE DESIGNATION WOULD HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATE FOR THIS MEDAL. PER THE NGC CENSUS, THERE ARE NONE OF THIS TYPE THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN A PL OR DPL DESIGNATION FOR SOME REASON.
JEFF SHEVLIN CURRENTLY HAS AN NGC GRADED MS 64 EXAMPLE FOR SALE ON HIS WEBSITE FOR $250.00.
Purpose: To celebrate opening of Panama Canal; to commemorate 400th anniversary of discovery of Pacific Ocean; to celebrate rebuilding of San Francisco following 1906 earthquake and fire.
Several states issued medals in advance of exposition as one means of raising funds for exhibition purposes; usually sold for $1. Except for Arkansas' Aluminum piece, all were Bronze; some silver-plated officially, others privately. Arkansas medal presented to "home folks and notable visitors"; Maryland's distributed on Maryland Day to officials and others.
The Arkansas State Fund so-called dollar, produced by Whitehead & Hoag of Newark, NJ, celebrates aluminum production in the state. A view of the Arkansas Building at the exposition on the obverse signed W & H Co below the bottom legend, the State seal on the reverse.