Souvenir Coin of Admission - Louisiana Purchase

Reverse

Relief map of U.S. showing extent of Louisiana Territory, above is spread-winged eagle atop twin draped flags; two seated female figures below map with oval seal between, containing serial number of individual coin; to l. 19, to r. 04; above all, around Louisiana Purchase Souvenir Coin Co. Saint Louis; beaded border. SEE http://www.so-calleddollars.com/Events/Louisiana_Purchase_Exposition.html

Script: Latin

Lettering: LOUISIANA PURCHASE SOUVENIR COIN CO. SAINT LOUIS; 1904

Edge

Plain

Comment

SOUVENIR COINS OF ADMISSION

Called by some "handsomest metal products" of exposition. Issued by Louisiana Purchase Souvenir Coin Co., in no way connected with exposition company. Round specimen appeared first at cost of 50 cents; purchaser entitled to guess number of total paid admissions, winner to receive $50,000 in gold! Promoters planned office at exposition entrance to redeem medals for admission tickets.

Scheme launched at same time as Official Souvenir Coin Department of exposition became active and public long thought same was part thereof. Situation finally clarified by press releases.

Obverse of medal bears crowned bust of Louis IX resembling that on Isabella quarter; also reverse bears word "coin." U.S. Treasury Department was asked by exposition to rule on both points but apparently no action taken. However, after "less than 25,000" round medals were sold, "a large order" was placed for octagonal shape. Almost concurrently, company disappeared following failure to secure either official recognition or concession privileges and octagonal issue bought up by souvenir and coin dealers. Most medals bear serial number on reverse, round ones under No. 25,000, octagonal ones over No. 25,000.

https://www.so-calleddollars.com/Events/Louisiana_Purchase_Exposition.html

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
1904	25000	-	-	-	-	-	-

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for Souvenir Coin of Admission - Louisiana Purchase 1904 item.