Diversity in Numismatics
Cayman Islands


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description: 76mm 1893 IL E-90 AE FERGUSON BROS.
Grade: NGC MS 68 BN
Owner: RAM-VT
 
Set Category: Other (Diverse collecting in the style of Garrett while on a very limited budget)
Set Name: Diversity in Numismatics
Slot Name: Cayman Islands
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Award Medal. Bronze, 76.4mm, 205.2 grams. By Augustus Saint Gaudens, Charles E. Barber. Barber’s decision to substitute his own banal reverse in place of Saint Gaudens’ original reverse design with its nude youth launched a lifelong feud between the two men. Obv. Rapturous Columbus lands with arms outstretched on San Salvador. Rev. Winged Fame and History (or Science, depending on the reference you check) atop tablet bearing 6-line expo inscription, insert die names winner. The 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition was perhaps the greatest world's fair of all time. Held over a six-month period in Chicago in 1893, a total of 28 million visitors (paid and complimentary) attended. Each award winner in various exhibiting categories, institutions, universities, museums, corporations and individuals were presented with a Mint struck massive bronze medal as shown Also, each struck medal, with an insert die, was personalize on the reverse to the recipient. In this case, the winner was FERGUSON BROS of Australia. I say Australia because I purchased this piece from an Australian auction house. The only info I could find on a “Ferguson” in Australia that fit this period of time and might have participated in this Expo was Mephan Ferguson (1843 1919) Ferguson expertise was with wrought-iron pipes, and perfected straight-riveted, longitudinal and transverse seams and, more important, pipes with spiral seams. Seventy miles (113 km) of this lighter piping was used in the Melbourne water supply by 1909, while Ferguson also supplied the pipes for many of the Victorian Water Trusts, the Chaffey brothers' irrigation scheme and similar ventures in New Zealand, Ceylon and Malaya. He also patented a locking bar or rivetless pipe which was first used by the South Australian government. He achieved world-wide attention by defeating overseas competitors for the contract to supply 360 miles (530 km) of thirty-inch (76 cm) steel main for the Kalgoorlie pipeline in Western Australia. Soon afterwards he won a large contract for the Mona Gas Co. at Tipton, South Staffordshire, despite heavy competition. He designed and manufactured his own plant at Footscray, and shipped it to England where his work was highly praised. One English journal saw it as a 'welcome landmark in the path of Imperial progress', but English contractors were not so pleased. Ferguson continued to expand his bridge and railway work, despite depression in the 1890s, and held many contracts for wrought-iron piping in the Australian colonies. The firm also developed a large general engineering trade, including marine boilers, and won contracts for various sewerage schemes. His continued emphasis on innovation and research, and his policy of reinvesting profits in the firm accounted for much of its success. Ferguson married first, Agnes Shand, by whom he had five sons and two daughters, and second, Maggie Kennedy, by whom he had one daughter. He died at Falkirk, Royal Parade, Parkville, on 2 November 1919. The vast industry Ferguson built declined after his death but he had shown what enterprise and research could achieve. This is a massive medal weighing almost half a pound. The fact that it has remained undamaged as well as maintianing its beautiful patina without the benefit of being in its presentation case is for me difficult to believe. I believe this medal's state of presivation is best defined by its grade of MS-68. Census – NGC does not provide population info on items such as this, even though NGC has a census designation titled - "United States Mint Medals 1972 - Date"

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