THERE ARE A TOTAL OF (13) OF THIS LARGE ODDLY SHAPED COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL LISTED IN THE NGC CENSUS AS OF 4/2023, AND THIS EXAMPLE IS TIED FOR THE TOP POP LISTED TO DATE.
AN UNGRADED EXAMPLE OF THIS TYPE WAS SOLD BY HERITAGE AUCTIONS FOR $660.00 IN 2022.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION 1904, ST. LOUIS, MO
Purpose: To commemorate 100th anniversary of Louisiana Purchase, "second in importance in nation's development only to American Revolution."
Organization: This was our 4th largest exposition. With St. Louis having been Territorial Capital in 1804, civic leaders and Missouri Historical Society campaigned vigorously within organization of Louisiana Purchase states and territories to secure celebration. Favorably decided at January, 1899, convention of delegates in St. Louis. Exposition Co. chartered May 1901; public subscription to stock. City floated large bond issue; state granted $1,000,000; Congress $5,000,000.
Site: About 1270 acres, parts of Forest Park and campus of Washington University. Of hundreds of structures, only portion of Art Palace was permanent; now serves as City Art Museum.
Dates, Attendance: Original opening set for April 30, 1903 but size and scope caused deferment. However, "Dedication Ceremonies" were held then, attended by President Roosevelt and Ex-President Taft. Finally opened April 30, 1904; closed Dec. 1, 1904. Attendance about 20,000,000; 13,000,000 paid.
Participants: On Aug. 20, 1901, President McKinley invited "all countries of the world to participate in this greatest of Expositions" which would "demonstrate America's progress since the Louisiana Purchase...promote friendly relations and the exchange of knowledge throughout the peoples of the world." All states and territories and "dozens" of foreign countries represented, scores erecting own buildings. Extensive Federal displays included Mint Exhibit.
Comment: Fifteen major exhibition Palaces radiated in fan pattern from central Festival Hall in "setting of lagoons, boulevards, gardens, fountains and sculpture" (1,200 pieces of statuary). Electric light, sign of progress then, used "lavishly" for both decoration and illumination. Featured were motor car, aeronautics and wireless telegraphy--all at their earliest, most exciting stage of development; spotlight on auto which had traveled from New York City to St. Louis, then "an unprecedented feat and a hazardous journey." Olympic Games held during Exposition in first concrete stadium built in U.S.