| Slot: |
SH 7-1 GP, HK-245
California Midwinter Exposition Official SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
GOLD- PLATED SC$1 1894 CA HK-245 CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-1 GP OSTHEIMER COLLECTION EX. KAGIN 2/26/62 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The exposition official medal was struck in the Mechanics Building by U.S. Interior Department contractor J.W. Ewing. The dies were designed and engraved by Charles E. Barber and produced by the U.S. Philadelphia Mint. Gold-plated medals were struck on opening day. This is the finest graded California Midwinter Exposition Official SCD and it is gold-plated.
Rarity R-6, Weight 17.22 grams, Size 33.5 mm
There are a total of (5) MS 64's of this type listed in the NGC census as of 1/2024, which are tied for the Top Pops for the type.
An NGC graded MS 64 non-gilt example of this type was sold by Heritage Auctions in 2021 for $312.00.
An NGC graded MS 63 PL example of this type was sold by Stacks Bowers auctions in 2015 for $381.88.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-2 BS, HK-245a
Midwinter Moise State Seal SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
BRASS SC$1 1894 CA HK-245A CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-2 BS |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
L.H. Moise, a minter in San Francisco, struck this version of the official medal. Moise reused the obverse die to strike a
number of additional medals celebrating events in California. See Shevlin & Hyder’s article “The Golden Age of Numismatics” which was published in The Numismatist June, 2010 to see other So-Called Dollars struck by Moise with this obverse die.
Rarity R-5, Weight 16.88-17.62 grams, Size 33.6 mm.
There are (8) MS 63 examples listed in the NGC census as of 1/2024, with only (3) MS 64's and (1) MS 65 listed as finer.
I sold another NGC graded MS 63 example on my website for $275.00.
Bruce Thomas sold another NGC graded MS 63 example on eBay for $375.00 in January 2024.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-3 AL, HK-261
Midwinter Ground Breaking Souvenir SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
ALUMINUM SC$1 1894 CA HK-261 STATE SEAL - EXPO VIEW CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-3 AL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Although not a signed Blumenfield piece and not signed by Chicago engraver A. Hylen, the obverse is the same design as that used by the exposition organizing committee. This is the official medal sold at the August 1893 groundbreaking ceremonies. SH 7-3 through SH 7-7 have similar design characteristics, and they were probably struck prior to the exposition to promote the event.
Rarity R-5, Weight 7.48 grams, Size 41.4 mm.
There are (3) MS 63 PL's that are tied for Top Pop for this type in the NGC census as of 1/2024.
Heritage Auctions sold an NGC graded MS 62 PL example in 2007 for $431.25.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-4 WM, HK-248
Midwinter Michael de Young - Blumenfield SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
WHITE METAL SC$1 1894 CA HK-248 DEYOUNG DOLLAR CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-4 WM JEFF SHEVLIN COLLECTION |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 61 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Midwinter vendor J.E. Blumenfield sold a number of souvenirs in the Mechanical Arts Building, including a set of medals
defined by a distinctive style with a textured outer inscription ring. Microscopic BLUMENFIELD S.F.C. to the right of de
Young’s bust. The Midwinter Exposition would not have been held had it not been for Michael de Young. He was the
publisher of the San Fransisco Chronicle, a commissioner to the 1889 Paris Exposition, and vice president of the 1893
World’s Columbian Exposition.
Rarity R-6, Weight 15.07 grams, Size 40 mm.
There are only a total of (7) of this type listed in the NGC census as of 1/2024, with only (1) MS 63 example shown as finer.
The only auction that I can find for this medal type was a Heritage Auction in 2014, where an NGC graded AU Details example sold for $211.50.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-5 AL, HK-246
Midwinter Electric Tower - Blumenfield SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
ALUMINUM SC$1 1894 CA HK-246 ADMIN BLD. ELECTRIC TOWER CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-5 AL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 65 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Another signed Blumenfield piece (note the misspelling on the obverse of his name Blumenfeld). The obverse is signed by Chicago engraver A. Hylen.
Rarity R-5, Weight 6.35 grams, Size 40 mm.
This example is the Top Pop for NGC of a total of (29) graded examples as of 1/2024. PCGS has only graded (1) MS 62 example.
I previously sold an NGC graded MS 63 example of this type on my website for $295.00.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-6 AL, HK-247
Midwinter Firth Wheel - Blumenfield SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
Aluminum SC$1 1894 CA HK-247 ADMIN BLD. FERRIS WHEEL CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-6 AL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 67 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The Firth Wheel was a smaller version of the exceptionally popular Ferris Wheel built for the Columbian Exposition. Firth was the name of the individual that built this attraction for the Midwinter Exposition. Another signed Blumenfield piece (note the misspelling of his name Blumenfeld on the obverse). The obverse is signed by Chicago engraver A. Hylen.
Rarity R-5, Weight 6.69 grams, Size 40 mm.
This example is tied with one other MS 67 for Top Pop in the NGC census as of 1/2024.
An NGC graded MS 65 example of this type was sold by Stacks Bowers auctions in 2021 for $528.00.
I previously sold an NGC graded MS 63 PL example on my website for $395.00.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-8 AL, Hk-251
Midwinter Electric Tower / Mechanics Art SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
ALUMINUM SC$1 1894 CA HK-251 MECHANICS ART BUILDING CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-8 AL JEFF SHEVLIN COLLECTION |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Several medal manufacturers struck souvenir medals in the Mechanics Art Building at the exposition. The Electric Tower / Mechanics Art so-called dollar is a pairing of the obverse dies of SH 7-9 and SH 7-10. Microsignature OA for Oscar Altstein, an engraver for S.D. Childs, is in the right lower design area of both the obverse and reverse die. The actual electric tower as built differed from this conceptual design as it had a search light at the top. The round sphere object at the top of the electric tower, representing the amount of gold mined in California, was placed in an exhibit.
Rarity R-6, Weight 6.69 grams, Size 38.5 mm.
There are a total of (3) MS 63 PL's and (1) MS 63 that are tied for Top Pops for this type in the NGC census as of 1/2024.
An NGC graded MS 66 DPL example (not listed in the NGC census for some reason) was sold by Stacks Bowers Auctions in 2015 for $587.50.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-9 AL, HK-252
Midwinter Electric Tower / Stamped in Mechanics Building SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
Aluminum SC$1 1894 CA HK-252 MECHANICS ART BUILDING CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-9 AL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Several medal manufacturers struck souvenir medals in the Mechanics Art Building. Two different versions, SH 7-9 and 7-10, commemorated that fact. Some are known date-stamped on the reverse for opening day. The obverse die is signed OA for Oscar Altstein, an engraver that worked for S.D. Childs of Chicago.
Rarity R-6, Weight 6.14-6.40 grams, Size 38.4 mm.
There are only (1) MS 63 and (2) MS 63 PL's listed as finer in the NGC census as of 1/2024.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-10 AL, HK-253
Midwinter Mechanics Art / Stamped in Mechanics Building SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
Aluminum SC$1 (1894) CA HK-253 MECHANICS ART BUILDING CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-10 AL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 61 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Several medal manufacturers struck souvenir medals in the Mechanics Art Building. Two different versions, SH 7-9 and 7-10, commemorated that fact. Some are known date-stamped on the reverse for opening day JAN 27 1894. The obverse die is signed OA for Oscar Altstein, an engraver that worked for S.D. Childs of Chicago.
Rarity R-6, Weight 6.10 grams, Size 38.2-38.4 mm.
There are (2) MS 62 PL's, (3) MS 63's, (3) MS 63 PL's, and (2) MS 63 DPL's listed as finer in the NGC census as of 1/2024.
An NGC graded MS 61 example was sold by Heritage Auctions in 2022 for $288.00.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-11 AL
Midwinter Electric Tower / Wonderful
Aluminum SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
ALUMINUM SC$1 (1894) CA AL, 38mm ELECTRIC TOWER/ALUMINUM $ CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-11 AL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
A detailed representation of the Electric Tower coupled with a reverse extolling the virtues of the wonderful new metal,
aluminum. Engraved by S.D. Childs of Chicago, the reverse is a reused stock die. Aluminum was a very expensive metal to manufacture until the late 1880’s, with the use of electricity. The process was invented by Charles Martin Hall, see David E Schenkman’s article “Aluminum and its early use in Exonumia”, published in the 1990 Token and Medal Society Journal.
Rarity R-8, Weight 6.14 grams, Size 38.4 mm.
This is the only example of this type listed in the NGC census as of 1/2024.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-12 AL
Midwinter Spanish Exhibit SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
WORLD'S FAIRS & EXPOS - 1894 CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO |
| Item Description: |
ALUMINUM 38mm 1894 ALUMINUM ELECTRIC TOWER - ALUMINUM CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-12 AL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
A detailed representation of the Electric Tower coupled with a reverse image of the facade of Spain’s exhibit area at the
exposition. Engraved by S.D. Childs of Chicago.
Rarity R-6, Size 6.13-6.17 grams, Size 38.4 mm.
NGC does not have census information regarding this medal type.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-13 AL, HK-259
Midwinter Grizzly Bear Exposition View - Nobel SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
Aluminum SC$1 1894 CA HK-259 MIDWINTER - ALUMINUM $ CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-13 AL JEFF SHEVLIN COLLECTION |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
An interesting design with a grizzly bear high on a crag overlooking the fairgrounds. Aluminum new metal tokens and store cards were struck in abundance for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Most of the Midwinter so-called dollars were struck in aluminum. Reverse microscopic signature NOBLE CHICAGO. The N of Noble appears to be two V’s, one punched upside down to create an N.
Rarity R-6, Weight 9.35-9.42 grams, Size 44.2 mm.
This example is tied with (1) MS 64 as Top Pops of this type in the NGC census as of 1/2024.
An NGC graded MS 61 example of this type was sold by Heritage Auctions in 2014 for $411.25.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-14 AL, HK-258
Midwinter Administration Building - Nobel SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
Aluminum SC$1 1894 CA HK-258 MIDWINTER - ALUMINUM $ CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-14 AL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The architecture of the Administration Building was referred to as a layer-cake design. Aluminum new metal tokens and store cards were struck in abundance for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Most of the Midwinter so-called dollars were struck in aluminum. Reverse microscopic signature NOBLE CHICAGO. The N of Noble appears to be two V’s, one punched upside down to create an N.
Rarity R-6, Weight 9.35 grams, Size 44.2 mm.
There is only (1) MS 64 PL listed as finer in the NGC census as of 1/2024.
The NGC MS 64 PL example was sold by Bruce Thomas in a Heritage auction in 2022 for $900.00.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-16 AL, HK-254
Midwinter Exposition View / Ornate Five Edifices - Schwaab SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
Aluminum SC$1 1894 CA HK-254 CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO VIEW OF EXPOSITION SH 7-16 AL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 DPL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Schwaab Stamp and Seal of Milwaukee produced four signed medals, at least one badge, and perhaps other medals and badges for the exposition. On the reverse, the four icons outside of the circles represent: Liberal Arts, Fine Arts, Mechanics, and Agriculture & Horticulture. Microscopic S.S. & S. CO. MILWAUKEE at the bottom.
Rarity R-5, Weight 5.22-6.16 grams, Size 43.5-43.8 mm.
There are only (3) MS 64 PL's listed as finer in the NGC census as of 1/2024.
I previously sold another NGC MS 63 DPL example on my website for $445.00.
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| Slot: |
SH 7-17 AL, HK-255
Midwinter Exposition View / San Francisco Facts - Schwaab SCD |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
Aluminum SC$1 1894 CA HK-255 FACTS ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER EXPO SH 7-17 AL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
An accurate aerial view depiction of the exposition grounds on the obverse, microscopic SCHWAAB S. & S. CO. MILWAUKEE. The reverse legend states facts about San Francisco; the population grew from 450 in 1847 to 350,000 in 1894.
Rarity R-5, Weight 5.35 grams, Size 44.0 mm.
There is only (1) MS 64 PL listed as finer in the NGC census as of 1/2024.
I previously sold an NGC MS 62 on my website for $275.00.
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