Christopher Columbus | Glossary | Medallic Art Collector

Description

This medal was issued to commemorate the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago 1893.

The obverse bears bust of Columbus left. Around to left and right, CHRISTOPHER - COLUMBUS; signed under truncated arm, LEA AHLBORN

The reverse bears a Spanish explorer in full armor holding sword and flag on left, facing two natives on right; ships anchored in background. In exergue, CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS LANDING AND / TAKING POSSESSION OF THE ISLAND / WHICH HE NAMED SAN SALVADOR / OCT. 12TH 1492; signed at bottom left, LEA AHLBORN

The medal measures 51mm in diameter and was struck by the Royal Swedish Mint in bronze. No mintage is reported.

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6
diameter	51mm
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Nov 30, 2017 09:48

Silver

Description

The obverse bears bust of Columbus l. wearing cap. Around, CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS GAVE A NEW WORLD TO HUMANITY / + ; signed below truncation, TIFFANY & CO. N.Y.

The reverse bears wreath around circumference with ANS seal at 4:30. In center field, AFTER / FOUR HUNDRED / YEARS OF PROGRESS / FREE AMERICA / HONORS ITS / DISCOVERER

This is the 9th medal issued by the American Numismatic Society.

The circular medal measures 77mm in diameter and was produced by Tiffany and Company of New York City. The mintage for this medal is unknown.

References: ANS 9, Marqusee 396

Variant Details

This section contains a table of detailed variant information. Currently, I am only aware of 3 variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any others or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6
diameter	77mm
mintage	unknown

material	Gilt Bronze
edge6
diameter	77mm
mintage	unknown

material	Silver
edge6
diameter	77mm
weight	260.2g
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 15:53

Reddish patina

Description

The medal's obverse bears imaginary scene of Columbus landing in the New World; natives dancing at left, ship in background at right. In exergue, LANDING OF COLUMBUS / 1492; border of stars around entire design.

The reverse bears view of Columbian Fair's Administration Building in center field. In exergue, MADE IN GERMANY / ADMINISTRATION / BUILDING; around, WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION CHICAGO / (star) 1893 (star)

This medal is also known as Eglit-54 and exists in bronze and white metal. It measures 50.6mm in diameter.

Variant Details

This section contains a table of detailed variant information. Currently, I am only aware of 2 variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any others or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
patina	Reddish patina
edge6
diameter	50.6mm
weight	41.6g
mintage	unknown

material	White metal
patina	Reddish patina
edge6
diameter	50.6mm
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Dec 21, 2017 15:16

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Silver-plated bronze
edge6	WHITEHEAD-HOAG
diameter	76.2mm
weight	191.7g
mintage	unknown

Last modified: May 14, 2019 13:28

Bronze

Description

The medal's obverse bears one of Columbus' ships mirrored on a raised globe. At left, 1492; below, Voyage of Columbus; signed at right, M D

The medal's reverse bears American Eagle, hovering over globe. At right, 1992; below, The American Numismatic Society

This medal proved to be a financial disappointment for the ANS. Sales lagged, probably due to the the fact that Columbus had become a controversial figure over the course of the last 100 years. Instead of the popular hero who discovered a continent he was now widely seen as a symbol of Euro-centric history and colonialism. This is truly a shame because the medal is quite beautiful and would have deserved wider acclaim.

The square medal measures 68mm x 68mm and was struck by J. Jenkins Sons of Baltimore. The mintage is reported as 2 pieces in gold, 100 in silver and 500 in bronze.

References: ANS 57

Variant Details

This section contains a table of detailed variant information. Currently, I am only aware of 3 variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any others or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6
dimensions	68mm x 68mm
mintage	500 reported

material	Silver
edge6
dimensions	68mm x 68mm
mintage	100 reported

material	Gold
edge6
dimensions	68mm x 68mm
mintage	2 reported

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 15:52