Kay writes: My question concerns a Medal (not a coin) from the Columbian Exposition. It is 3″ in diameter and possibly made out of bronze. On the front shows Columbus and on the back is Printed “Worlds Columbian Exposition in commemoration of the four hundredth anniversary of the landing of Columbus MDCCCXCII MDCCCXCIII to L.J.Farmer.” At the very bottom is the name C.E.Barber. Do you have any idea what this was used for in conjunction with the Columbian Expositon and how many were made. Also why is there a name engraved on it??
There were exhibits at the fair, very much like you still see at a county fair. I assume that the medal you have is an award for an exhibit and the winner’s name was engraved on the medal.
Charles E. Barber was the United States Chief Mint Engraver at the time and he obviously designed the award medal. I don’t know how many were struck, but yours probably is the only one engraved with that particular name.
