I recently picked up a lot of 5 So-Called Dollars that includes one I'm not familiar with. I was buying the lot in order to get the UN spinner (which I needed) and didn't really pay as much attention to the Columbian Expo medal as I should have. The obverse is very similar to HK174 (Globe Dollar): http://www.so-calleddollars.com/Events/Worlds_Columbian_Expo.html But the reverse is a totally different ball of wax. It seems to be a promotional item good for $15 towards the purchase of land in Harvey, Illinois. The town still exists and is a suburb just outside of Chicago. Apparently, it was founded as part of the temperance movement and grew from empty fields into a town of 3,000 in less than a year. Is this listed in any books that you know of? What's the reference number or identifier? And, what do you think it's worth in this condition? I'd grade it as EF40 or higher. In these pictures, it's the medal in the bottom right:
I don't think this is an official medal of the World's Columbian Exposition, and it is not (Yet!) considered an SCD. It was quite common for exhibitors to sell unofficial souvenirs like this to recover some of their expenses. Chris
I have an HK-155 one that is in MS 64. Don't know much about it, but I really enjoy the medal. Mine is an official medal though.
That's a pretty one in the series. I like most of the issues from the 1890's up until the 1930s. Before and after that, there are a lot of ugly medals included (IMO). I guess the art deco period was just a really great blip in medallic art.
Here's more info on the city of Harvey: http://www.cityofharvey.org/site2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=30 I've been meaning to get a 2nd edition guide to SCDs. Maybe this will be the kick I need to find out if it's listed.
The medal is identified here as Eglit 214 - do you know what reference book that's from (or if the ID is correct)? http://www.1893columbianexpo.com/Eglit_201-300.html
I found one of these slabbed on eBay. The slab reads 1892-1893 IL E-214 AL I'm assuming IL = Illinois and AL = Aluminum. Is the E-214 an index code from some reference book? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160552124274
Kind of on the same topic, here is one of my prized possessions: a 1933 medal from the Hoover exhibit. I love that the Vacuum Cleaner is literally represented as an angel saving a groveling housewife from a broom. Classic!
Another Chicago Exposition - Century of Progress token: I'm not from Chicago. Don't ask me what the "Don't Worry Club" is or what the four-way cross means.
Perhaps you can't find info due to it not having an assigned HK #...it's assigned an Eglit #. I know a guy on another forun that is an expert on Columbiana stuff. I'll refer him to this thread...if he's a menmber here, he'll chime in, if not, I'll try to gather info.
Interesting artifact from the 1903/1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair. A glass hatchet. The theme of the fair was "Burying the hatchet" and "The city of Glass"
In regard to the OP......George, this is the info I got on the Columbian medal you are trying to find out about... "The Harvey Land medal is fairly common, not as common as HK-174 which shares the same obverse, but still, there are plenty if them out there. The one pictured is average for what I've seen. They typically sell for $20-$40 in that condition." This comes from 'The one who knows all things Columbian Expo'. It's not always about price, remember (though don't we all hope to find the next 'million dollar piece' in 'some lot'?). It's a nice medal, and a nice find!
Very cool! Thanks. Did your friend happen to have the Eglit number? I've seen that identifier on a lot of medals; what book does it come from? I'm always looking to expand my library.