bill

One of the promotions used to attract people to the fair were special days. School kids, butchers, Chinese, whatever kind of group could be defined was defined and members had special days at the fair. Different groups issued badges or other "favors" for thise attending. Perhaps this patriotic badge is from one of the days.

Copper-plated mule of H&K 258 and 259 45 mm, EF This is only the second example of this medal that I am aware of. I saw the first after it was sold, I was lucky to acquire this piece. It is a mule of the first two so-called dollars that I posted in this series. The medals were made by Noble jewelers of Chicago. Why the mule? Many examples of add die pairings from the Columbian Exposition are known. I suspect it was people having fun at the presses. But why was this mule created, in something other than aluminum (some form of white metal), and then copper plated? It does make a handsome piece and is unlike anything else offered in San Francisco.

1894 Aluminum Lauer Administration Building So-Called Dollar Hibler & Kappen 267 35 mm BU The Lauer Exhibition Palace so-called dollars were issued in a set of six. I've managed to collect Four of the six, although one is holed. My goal is an original set of 6 in their original holder. (Updated with better medal, 2/15/09.)

The California Midwinter International Exposition was held in San Francisco at a time when travel to the west coast was difficult. One would expect that most of the souvenirs would be found in San Francisco, but the 1906 earthquake and resultant fires destroyed much of San Francisco. When I look for pieces at shows, dealers generally say they feel these are among the rarest of the exposition pieces. I suspect that is true, but the number of specialist collectors is rather small. I'm four away from having all the known so-called dollars, although ny collection is far from the finest. I have all but three of the non-so-called dollars that I am aware of, but the real test is in what I don't know about. In all, I'm proud of the collection shown here, but I suspect there are one or more that are even better.

1894 Aluminum State Seal, Exposition View So-Called Dollar Hibler & Kappen 261 41 mm AU The reverse design (the exposition view) was the logo for the exposition planning commission.

1894 Aluminum Electric Tower, Mechanics Art Building So-Called Dollar Hibler & Kappen 251 38 mm Unc One of the so-called dollars definitely struck on site during the exposition. Counterstamped examples are known. This is the second in my collection.

Thank you for sharing. Note the American use of "who art" versus the British "which art."

An unlisted so-called dollar, scarce but collectible. I can't say much about it at present. The reverse translates as Section of Spain, California 1894. The Electric Tower is close but not exactly that of the Mechanical Building so-called dollars. another version of this piece has the aluminum product reverse as found on Nobel and Childs medals. In any event, I have more work to do on this piece.

Brass pinback produced by Whitehead and Hoag. Unlisted in Pond.

Pond 65 Gilt Bronze, 19 mm. Schwaab Stamp and Seal Co. 4000 struck Lord's Prayer token.

Pond 14 White Metal, 30 mm. Whitehead and Hoag Co. 2500 struck The Washington Oak in Billerica was supposedly the location of a spot where General Washington rested during the Revolutionary War. There are no records to support the story one way or the other.

Three recently acquired Lord's Prayer Tokens. The smallest is 13 mm, the largest is 19 mm. The tokens in the image are shown in the correct relative size. I've linked to a fourth in my collection as shown in Omnicoin. It is 17 mm in diameter. You can see a large image at this link. From the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition: The Massachusetts Bay Centenary token above came with an eagle pin. The top, Columbus, token probably had a red, white, and blue ribbon.

It is not in Pond and many do not collect celluloid buttons, but I've included this piece in my collection:

Pond 19 Bronze, 32 mm Whitehead and Hoag Co. 5000 struck Haverhill commemorative. The birthplace of John Greenleaf Whittier, a famous New England poet, was built in 1688 by his ancestor, Thomas Whittier. The home has been maintained as a museum since 1835. This particular example has an original ribbon attached.

Pond 50 Bronze, 32 mm Whitehead and Hoag Co. 2000 struck Foxborough medal. The image inside the wreath of wheat is the image of a colonial homestead, a wellsweep, smokehouse, and shicks of grain.

1894 Aluminum Schwaab Modified State Seal, 5 Edifices So-Called Dollar Hibler & Kappen 256 45 mm Unc

Wordy, yes, but consider Farren Zerbe's 1904 advertising token listing his prices paid for collector's coins:

Good Money: Birmingham Button Makers, the Royal Mint, and the Beginnings of Modern Coinage, 1775-1821 by George Anthony Selgin If you like Condor tokens (I do although I don't collect them), this will likely be an interesting book. It is economic history, but it deals with the whys of the tokens and how they helped fuel the industrial revolution. I've just started reading, but it is well written and engaging.

Interesting medal.

Four Boston medals. Boston Tercentenary Committee Pond 27 Whie Metal, 28 mm Robbins Co. About 2000 struck Mayor's Medal, City of Boston (small) Pond 44 Bronze, 24 mm Robbins Co. About 2000 struck Mayor's Medal, City of Boston (large) Pond 44 Bronze, 28mm Robbins Co. About 5000 for various events. City of Boston, Mayor's medal, Costume Ball Pond II.4.H Bronze, 28 mm

Pond 34 Bronze, 101 mm Medallic Art Co. Approximately 200 struck to private account Laura Gardin Fraser designed this medal for a private account, struck by the Medallic Art Co. It is the rarest, most expensive piece of the collecting subject and popular outside the specific topic for collectors of Fraser medals. I was fortunate to find such a nice example.

Thank you. I just picked up another 11 badges from the Paul Kagin collection (his badges from ANA conventions). One of these days, I'll get them photographed and posted. I'm behind because of another writing project.

I agree, real beauties. I love city views.

There are some days when I wish I had never parted with my early Nowegian penny (ca. 900) and two bractates, but I did all too many years ago. Lovely coins and wonderful additions to your collection..

1991 Centennial Medal, designed by N. Neil Harris. Mintage: 225 in bronze