![]() ![]() This figure includes 103 coins struck in brilliant proof and an unknown quantity of assay coins. This set a precedent for many commemoratives to come. ![]() The reverse in particular became the butt of jokes about the “ship on wheels.” It seemed that nearly everyone had an opinion of some sort, the value of which varied widely. Columbus was said to resemble either Daniel Webster, Henry Ward Beecher or William Gladstone. The coins were almost universally panned by both the press and the numismatic community. Morgan’s initial is cleverly hidden within the rigging of the ship, at the lower right of the mainsail. Separated from it by stars is the peripheral inscription WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION CHICAGO. The actual date of coinage appears below, either 1892 or 1893. Below are two hemispheres flanked by the date 14 92. The reverse features a port view of the Santa Maria, based on a replica commissioned by Spain. Around the periphery, separated by stars, are the legends UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and COLUMBIAN HALF DOLLAR. Barber’s initial B is at the truncation of the bust. The World’s Columbian Expositon half dollar depicts on its obverse a right-facing portrait of Columbus. Additional pieces were minted later with the date 1893. The first coins were struck on November 19, 1892, bearing that year of coinage. Morgan. From that point onward, the work proceeded quickly. Proclaiming their design uncoinable, he retreated from further involvement with the half dollar’s reverse, instead delegating it to Assistant Engraver George T. He favored his own concept of the Western Hemisphere covering the entire reverse, but the Board was pressing for a depiction of Columbus’ flag ship Santa Maria poised over two hemispheres representing both Old and New Worlds. Irascible as always, Barber clashed with the Exposition’s Board of Managers over the reverse, as well. None can be considered an accurate depiction of Columbus, as there are no known portraits of him made from life. This in turn had several European antecedents. Warner’s bust of the navigator which now resides in the Chicago Historical Society. Barber’s portrait of Columbus was allegedly based on Olin L. Mint’s Chief Engraver Charles Barber managed to derail the Dunbar train and secure the project for himself. Dunbar, who prepared a plaster model of the Columbus obverse based on a 1512 portrait painted by Lorenzo Lotto. As he would so often whenever outside artists were commissioned to design coins and medals, the U. These coins were to be designed by sculptor U.S.J. To celebrate Columbus’ discovery and the exposition itself, a bill was passed on Augwhich authorized the coining of not more than 5,000,000 commemorative half dollars. An unprecedented display of art objects were on exhibit, many of them commissioned specifically for the fair, and this prompted renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to remark “Do you realize that this is the greatest meeting of artists since the fifteenth century?” Unquestionably the greatest world’s fair held to that time, some 25,000,000 visitors passed through its gates before they were closed in the Fall and the buildings demolished. It debuted amid much hoopla on May 1, 1893, with President of the United States Grover Cleveland doing the honors. Dedication of the grounds occurred on October 12, 1892, by which time it was obvious that the fair wouldn’t open until the following year. Today known as Jackson Park, this site overlooks vast Lake Michigan. The Windy City selected an undeveloped lakefront property of 686 acres on which to build the exposition’s landscape and structures. On the 25th, Congress awarded the burgeoning city of Chicago the honor of hosting this event in 1892, beating out New York City, St. The World’s Columbian Exposition, as the great fair would be called, was organized on April 9, 1890. ![]() Silver Coins: When They Ended and What They’re Worth Should I get my coin collection appraised?. ![]()
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