Owner Comments:
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.
THERE ARE ONLY A TOTAL OF (20) OF THE TENNESSEE STATE FUND DOLLARS LISTED IN THE NGC CENSUS AS OF 3/2024, AND ONLY (11) OF THOSE ARE IN UNCIRCULATED GRADES. PCGS SHOWS NONE OF THIS TYPE LISTED IN THEIR CENSUS. ONE OF THE RARER STATE FUND DOLLAR TYPES FROM THE PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPO. IT IS ALSO GIVEN RARITY R-7 IN JEFF SHEVLIN'S AND BILL HYDER'S NEW SO-CALLED DOLLAR BOOK.
IN JEFF SHEVLIN'S NEW SO-CALLED DOLLARS BOOK, HE SAYS THAT THIS MEDAL IS MADE OF COPPER PLATED BRONZE INSTEAD OF BRONZE AS THE ORIGINAL REFERENCE BOOK CLAIMS. I AGREE WITH THIS, AS THE COLORING OF THE MEDAL IS MOSTLY BROWN WITH A TINT OF DARK RED.
AN NGC MS 63 BN EXAMPLE WAS SOLD BY HERITAGE AUCTIONS IN 2016 FOR $564.00,
AN NGC AU 58 BN EXAMPLE WAS SOLD BY HERITAGE AUCTIONS IN 2014 FOR $305.50.
STACKS BOWERS HAS SOLD NONE OF THIS TYPE (MUST BE QUITE RARE!).
JEFF SHEVLIN HAD AN AU 55 EXAMPLE IN ONE OF HIS PRICE LISTS FOR $325.00.
AN NGC GRADED AU 58 EXAMPLE WAS SOLD BY HERITAGE AUCTIONS FOR $305.50.
AN NGC GRADED MS 63 EXAMPLE WAS SOLD BY HERITAGE AUCTIONS FOR $564.00.
The Tennessee State seal with symbols of agriculture above and a ship representing commerce below. The common reverse features a ship with large sails passing through the Panama Canal with rays of light emanating behind the ship, legend above “The Land Divided”, below “The World United”. Microscopic signature Robbins Co Attleboro at lower edge.