Owner Comments:
LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION 1904, ST. LOUIS, MO SOUVENIR COIN OF ADMISSION.
THERE ARE ONLY (22) OF THIS ROUND TYPE OF ADMISSION MEDAL LISTED IN THE NGC CENSUS AS OF 1/2022, THIS TYPE IS MUCH RARER THAT THE OCTAGONAL SHAPED HK-306 ADMISSION MEDAL, WHICH NGC HAS GRADED OVER 130 EXAMPLES.
HERITAGE AUCTIONS SOLD ANOTHER NGC GRADED MS 61 FOR $282.00. THIS EXAMPLE HAD A VERY LOW SERIAL #381.
Called by some "handsomest metal products" of exposition. Issued by Louisiana Purchase Souvenir Coin Co., in no way connected with exposition company. Round specimen appeared first at cost of 50 cents; purchaser entitled to guess number of total paid admissions, winner to receive $50,000 in gold! Promoters planned office at exposition entrance to redeem medals for admission tickets.
Scheme launched at same time as Official Souvenir Coin Department of exposition became active and public long thought same was part thereof. Situation finally clarified by press releases.
Obverse of medal bears crowned bust of Louis IX resembling that on Isabella quarter; also reverse bears word "coin." U.S. Treasury Department was asked by exposition to rule on both points but apparently no action taken. However, after "less than 25,000" round medals were sold, "a large order" was placed for octagonal shape. Almost concurrently, company disappeared following failure to secure either official recognition or concession privileges and octagonal issue bought up by souvenir and coin dealers. Most medals bear serial number on reverse, round ones under No. 25,000, octagonal ones over No. 25,000.