The GOLD MEDAL, was a beautiful 3.5 ounce medal, shaped as a 3-point shield and was made from what was originally called `government bronze. In addition to the medal a diploma of award was also given to the recipient. Because the medals were not made out of gold or silver, this medal was labeled Gold Medal.' to signify the achievement.
9,000 Gold medals were awarded to competitors during the Fair.
6,000 Commemorative medals were given out to competitors as well.
The design for gold medal was almost identical
to the grand with the obvious
exception of the shape, wreaths and on the tablet,
the addition of the word gold. The gold and
commemorative medals were exactly the same
in design and shape except that word-
commemorative was used on the tablet, instead of
gold..
The SILVER MEDAL, was a 2 1/2 inch square medal which had the same circular image as the gold and bronze awards. In addition to the medal a diploma of award was also given to the recipient.
11,550 Silver medals were awarded to competitors during the Fair.
The BRONZE MEDAL, was a 2 1/2 inch circular medal which weighed 105 grams.
In addition to the medal a diploma of award was also given to the recipient.
10,000 Bronze medals were awarded to competitors during the Fair.
The GRAND MEDAL, a beautiful medal shaped as a 5-point shield; designed by Adolph A. Weinman (who would later design the Mercury Dime and the Walking Liberty Half Dollar), the award was made from what was originally called `government bronze. The artwork was struck by the U.S. mint in Philadelphia. The figure holding the US flag is Columbia, while the youthful figure to her right represented the Louisiana Purchase Territory.
On each `corner-side' of the wreaths are 14 stars which represented the 14 territories carved out of the Louisiana Purchase. The rising sun in the background, showed the dawn of a new era of progress. In addition to the medal a diploma of award was also given to the recipient. The circular part of the medal was the same in all the other medals (gold, silver, and bronze awards).
The reverse showed an architectural tablet inscribed with "Grand Medal" and "Louisiana Purchase Exposition". Two dolphins symbolizing the nations' eastern and western boundaries, the Atlantic and Pacific oceans were sculpted below the tablet, while a large eagle with its wings spread, stood above. In addition to the medal a diploma of award was also given to the recipient.
Only 3,300 Grand medals were awarded to competitors during the Fair. All in all, there were 39,158 awards were given out.
The back of each medal showcased an eagle and dolphin motiff. This is the Silver medal back.
