A fabulous, incredibly detailed medal of Christopher Columbus for the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. NGC MS64 BN. In a large sized NGC Holder due to its significant size.

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator whose voyages across the Atlantic Ocean in the late 15th and early 16th centuries played a significant role in the European exploration and colonization of the Americas. Here are some key points about Christopher Columbus:

1. Early Life: Columbus was born in the Republic of Genoa (present-day Italy) around 1451. Little is known about his early life, but he gained seafaring experience as a young man, possibly as a merchant sailor or privateer.

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3. Voyages to the Americas: Columbus is best known for his four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, which were sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. His first voyage, in 1492, led to the "discovery" of the Americas when he landed in the Bahamas and later explored the islands of the Caribbean. Columbus made subsequent voyages in 1493, 1498, and 1502, during which he explored parts of Central and South America.

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5. Impact on History: Columbus's voyages had a profound impact on world history. They initiated the European colonization of the Americas and ushered in an era of exploration, conquest, and colonization that transformed the world. Columbus's voyages also facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between Europe and the Americas, although they also led to the decimation of indigenous populations through disease, warfare, and exploitation.

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7. Controversy and Criticism: Columbus's legacy is the subject of considerable controversy and criticism. While he is celebrated in many countries as a heroic explorer, his actions and their consequences have also been condemned. Critics argue that Columbus's voyages led to the enslavement, exploitation, and genocide of indigenous peoples in the Americas, as well as the destruction of their cultures and environments.

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9. Death and Legacy: Columbus died in 1506 in Valladolid, Spain, without fully realizing the significance of his voyages. He is remembered as a key figure in world history and is honored in many countries, particularly in the Americas, where he is often celebrated as a national hero. However, his legacy remains deeply contested, and his achievements are viewed in different ways by different people and cultures.

Overall, Christopher Columbus's voyages represent a pivotal moment in world history, marking the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the Americas and shaping the course of global affairs for centuries to come.