Owner Comments:
1904 LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION
GRAND PRIZE MEDAL
Gilt Bronze
Hendershott-30-90
NGC MS62 Certification #6057456-002
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: U.S. Philadelphia Mint
Mintage:3,300
Shape & Dimentions: Shield Shape, Height 74.3 mm, Width 60.2 mm
Weight: 149.7 Grams
DESIGNER
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
The "Grand Prize" was the highest of four award medals given out at the 1904 Lousiana Purchase Exposition. Other awards included a "Bronze Medal", Silver Medal", and "Gold Medal". All of the award medals were struck in Bronze. however it was common practice for recipiants of "Gold" and "Grand Prize medals to have their award medals gilded after recieving them.
OBVERSE
The obverse of the medal depicts two female figures above the date MCMIV (1904). The 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."
REVERSE
The reverse shows an architectural tablet inscribed with "Grand Prize" 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. :
Purchased in Heritage Auctions, 2021 August 22 Certified American Tokens & Medals Showcase Auction, Auction #60215, Lot # 91445
NGC Population: 1/2 (8/23/2021)