This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2022
Offered here are two ancient bronze award medals issued for the 1900 Paris and 1904 St. Louis Exposition Games. Held in conjunction with the World's Fair which lasted five months, they would later be identified as the 2nd and 3rd Games of the Modern Olympiad, respectively, but it took several years to gain such prestigious titles. At the time, many exposition participants were unaware that they were in fact taking part in "Olympic" events. Nevertheless, award medals from both of these Games are still quite collectible even with a relatively large supply in the market. Both present in VF/EF condition.
1900 Paris: Designed by Georges Lemaire (name hallmarked on both sides), this bronze medal measures 53 mm in diameter and 4 mm thick, weighing 75 grams. Obverse depicts a crowned woman (Allegory of Paris) holding a veil in one hand and an olive branch in the other with "L'EXPOSITION DE PARIS" overhead and a shining sun with "1900" inscribed in the background. Reverse pictures a cartouche (with a word/name scratched in by the recipient we suppose), a dirigible, a bundle of palm leaves and various French inventions. Edge is engraved "BRONZE."
1904 St. Louis: Designed by Weinberg, this bronze medal measures 64 mm in diameter and 4-5 mm thick, weighing 114 grams. Obverse shows an eagle standing on a podium that reads "Bronze Medal Louisiana Purchase Exposition." Reverse has "Universal Exposition Saint Louis United States Of America" and Roman numerals "MCMIV" with two cloaked women in raised relief.