Owner Comments:
STATE DOLLAR, MICHIGAN AT COLUMBIAN WORLD EXPO HK-214, EGLIT-219. ALUMINUM, 38MM.
THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE GRADED BY PCGS AS OF 3/2024. THIS EXAMPLE IS QUITE PROOFLIKE IN HAND. IT SEEMS THAT PCGS IS VERY STINGY WITH IT'S PROOFLIKE DESIGNATIONS ON SO-CALLED DOLLARS.
THERE ARE A TOTAL OF (30) OF THIS TYPE GRADED BY NGC, WITH ONLY (2) MS 63'S AND (1) MS 63 PL LISTED AS FINER IN THE NGC CENSUS AS OF 3/2024.
THE NGC GRADED MS 63 PL EXAMPLE WAS SOLD FOR $450.00 BY HERITAGE AUCTIONS IN AUGUST 2022.
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION 1892-1893, CHICAGO, IL
Purpose: To commemorate 400th anniversary of Discovery of America by Columbus and "to tell the story of the world's progress through those four centuries."
Organization: Our third largest exposition; distinguished by direct Federal sponsorship similar to U.S. Centennial 1876. When first suggested, rivalry among cities was keen, sometimes bitter. Congressional Acts 1890 settled issue; set up National Commission to work with World's Columbian Exposition (Company), chartered April 1890. Public subscribed to $10,000,000 stock and bonds of latter; special city bond issue of $5,000,000; Federal grant of $5,000,000.
Site: Almost 700 acres on shore of Lake Michigan, mainly Jackson Park, then barren area. Only Fine Arts Palace remains. Rebuilt in limestone, by private gift of $5,000,000, it now is Museum of Science and Industry, called by many "a permanent World's Fair."
Dates, Attendance: "Dedication" Oct. 21, 1892 (corresponding to Oct. 12, 1492); 125,000 present; lunch served to 70,000! Officially opened May 1, 1893 by President Cleveland; closed Nov. 2, 1893. Attendance over 27,500,000; 21,500,000 paid.
Participants: President Harrison invited "all the nations of the earth to take part...by sending such exhibits...as will most... fully illustrate their resources, their industries and their progress in civilization." All states and territories and 50 foreign countries represented, 36 of former and 17 of latter erecting own buildings. Total exhibits exceeded 50,000; numerous Federal displays included Mint Exhibit.
Comment: Twelve major exhibition Palaces plus 200 other buildings brought "250 acres under roof," creating spectacular "White City." Neo-classic architecture gave "breadth, freedom and largeness of scale to all future planning and design of World's Fairs"; influenced design of public buildings for decades; Manufactures Building was "greatest on earth." Electricity was in infancy; first exposition use for "lavish illumination." Among features were Edison's phonograph, linotype, Pullman cars; initial showing of Westinghouse A. C. generator, basis of future lighting and power; first Ferris Wheel was equaled as attraction "only...by Fair itself"; was greatest single enterprise on grounds.