Mateo writes: Please tell me about a medallion I have that is 2 1/2 inches in diameter. The front shows a floating lady with a star over her head holding hands with Christopher Columbus on a ship. The outside rim has a compass look with an N, S, E, and W. From top left of the N going clockwise: Chicago, 21.octbr 1892. The bottom from left of the S reads: Guanahani, 12.Octobr 1492.
The back has at the top an eagle; ribbon in the beak reads: E Pluribus Unum; arrows in his claws. Rectangle frames these words under the eagle: ESPOSIZIONE UNIVERSALE
IN MEMORIA DELL ILLUSTRE
NAVIGATORE
CHRISTOFORO COLOMBO
Buildings rise under this saying. On the left of the center bottom rim reads: N.FRISTRUP.INV.F.SCHMAELFELD.SC. On the right of this reads: V.CHRISTENSEN
This back is more decroative than I have discribed but I hope this is enough information that you will be able to help me know what I have. Thank you in advance for your response.
This medal is from the Italian pavilion at the Chicago, Columbian Exposition of 1893. The fair was the largest and most impressive exposition and was a model for modern “World’s Fairs”. The fair was suppose to open in 1892, the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s discovery of the New World, but was not completed in time (thus the two dates on the medal).
Medals, tokens, coins and entrance tickets and other memorabilia from the show are actively collected. (the US issued its first commemorative half dollar at this show, the Columbian Half Dollar).
Approximate value, depending on grade: $35 – $75.
