I have tried to do some research on the medal but have only found one that has sold. Obverse is the same as the Douglas 51 but "E PLURIBUS UNUM" replaces "CHICAGO COMMEMORATIVE". From what I can tell this is a rare version. I would love to have some more information! The picture below is one I found online, that looks exactly like the one I have. Thanks, Chris
They originally had a small ribbon that was threaded through the hole, they also were made in other cities to celebrate the 100th anniversary and they also were made in different metals.
Thanks for the info.I did find out a lot of what you are saying in research. The following info is what I could find. It is quit a bit of info, but no rough value. Does anyone know what it might be? COPYRIGHT 1889 [star] BY THE CHICAGO CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION COMMITTEE White metal Weight: 219.8 g (14.24 grams) Diameter: 36.9 mm Reverse die alignment: 360° Comments: This medal was struck by Childs and Company Medalists of Chicago, Illinois for the Chicago Centennial Celebration Committee. All examples are holed and were issued with a red, white a blue suspension ribbon that was 4mm wide and five inches long. The obverse shows an undraped bust left portrait of Washington with the dates on the reverse. This medal was issued in several rare varieties that differ in the reverse legends. Five examples have E PLURIBUS UNUM in place of CHICAGO COMMEMORATION (Douglas 51B); others have that area replaced with PERU ILL COMMEMORATION (Douglas 51E, two known) or COMMEMORATION/ SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (Douglas 51G, six known) anther variety, only discovered in 1983, has a reverse stating: WASHINGTON CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR above and then below PUBLIC SCHOOL OLNEY, ILL. (Douglas 51D, one known). All these varieties were struck by Childs and only survive in white metal. Apparently several varieties were also issued in a very soft pot metal that could be easily bent and thus do not survive. Rulau and Fuld suspect other varieties may have been struck in this soft metal and no longer exist. Provenance: Part of an anonymous donation consisting of 1100 tokens and medals covering the Nineteenth century, primarily up through the Civil War era.
