Owner Comments:
Purchased on 7/28/2011.
This is an official commemorative medal of the 1898 Trans Mississippi Exposition, struck on the grounds of the exposition at the Mint Exhibit in Omaha, Nebraska using dies prepared at The Philadelphia Mint. The reverse was designed by T. R. Kimball of Omaha, Nebraska. The medal was struck in silver, bronze, brass, and copper. It is estimated that approximately 25,000 of these medals were sold during the exposition. This particular example is a nicely struck example in brass. The purpose of this exposition was "to display the products, manufactures, and industries of the states and territories west of the Mississippi River." It was held concurrent with the Indian Congress in Omaha, Nebraska from June 1, 1898 through November 1, 1898. Business and community leaders from the 24 states and territories lying west of the Mississippi River envisioned the Trans Mississippi Exposition as a way to revitalize the regional economy and to show that the West had recovered from the financial panic of 1893.
During the four months of the Exposition, over 2,600,000 people (1,750,000 paid attendees) came to view it's 4,062 exhibits. The exhibits feature social achievements, economic productivity, and community growth of the western region. The Exposition stretched from 24th Street east to Sherman Avenue and from Pinkney Street north to Ames Avenue. Overall, it covered about 108 city blocks. The grand buildings of the Exposition no longer exist because of the poor quality of the construction materials. Most of the structures were built using green wood and plaster in order to keep the cost of these immense buildings down.