1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition medal

[DrkSdeOTM]

I have been trying to identify exactly what I have here, it's pupose, rarity, value, etc for quite some time. It had great significance to my grandfather, and was given to me after his passing. I have yet to find any solid information regarding it so I am asking for your assistance. What is the history behind the piece? What is the significance of the Edison Company being engraved on it? And finally, is this something that should be in my safe deposit box or something I can keep around the house? Thank you in advance for any light you can shed on this.

[Scottishmoney]

Don't know anything about it, but it is a beautiful piece as many from that era are. It was actually a fairly significant exposition, even the US post office issued commemorative stamps for it.

[constanius]

This link http://www.omaha.lib...bout/about.html has full details about the expo, including a list of exhibitors that won award medals(which yours is) & one listing is "Chicago Edison Co. G.M. General Display Electric appliances" (G.M.= Gold Medal) the gold medals were gilt bronze not solid gold.

 

http://coins.ha.com/...&lotIdNo=125004 is for a Long Beach auction in 2008 & you can check what one offered there made.

 

I checked the lot#28273 "Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition Award Medal.Gilt bronze. A sizable award medal. Obverse: Allegorical Columbia in industrial landscape, OMAHA above, U.S.A. below, TRANS-MISSISSIPPI AND INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION / 1898 around. Reverse: honor wreath with S.D. CHILDS & CO. ENGRAVERS, CHICAGO below, engraved within "Gold Medal / FOR / PERFECTION ELEVATOR / PURIFYING PUMPS / Awarded to / ST JOSEPH / PUMP / & MFG Co." (#661060)" and it went for $373.75.

 

There were a lot of medals awarded as prizes at the expo, so they are not particularly rare, but of course each one that was engraved is unique, they are found unengraved as well http://www.ebay.com/...=item5d35105fa9 & http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1898-Trans-Mississippi-International-Exposition-Bronze-Medal-Coin-/350587520141?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a0a5048d

[DrkSdeOTM]

Thank you so much for the information! I was doing a bit of reading on the site and found this tidbit. "Among famous exhibits were the original Edison Electric light dynamo, the "X" Ray, a historical exhibit of the telephone, showing its development from the first device from the experimental stage down to present efficient appliances, a similar exhibit of telegraphy, a form of deep sea communication, the improved system of underground wiring, the application of electric heat and power, and devices for controlling and measuring electricity." Definitely seems like a historically significant piece, especially considering the company it was awarded to (and the fact they're still around!). Thank you very much!

[bill]

Nice medal. All the exposition award medals are collectible. Their prices are not outrageous, although none are cheap. Great medal, even better being engraved. In general, medals were awarded unengraved in bronze. Recipients could pay to have them engraved and plated if the award was gold or silver. Actual practices varied from exposition to exposition. I think the $300 to $500 estimate range is a good guess for your medal. I don't know that it warrants a safe deposit box, but it does warrant care. The award medals are heavy and easily damaged if dropped or mishandled. Yours appears as if it is gold-plated? The fact that your grandfather valued it and passed it to you adds additional significance.