Perhaps one of the most prestigious pieces of memorabilia that one could collect would be the metals that were awarded at the fair. Some 39,158 awards were given out, 33,158 of the actual total were real prizes, 6,000 were commemorative. Half of the awards were given to foreign countries. Receiving a medal at an Exposition was and still is something of importance. Case in point Jack Daniels Distillery won a gold medal at the 1904 world's fair and to this day still proclaims that fact on every bottle of Jack Daniels.
The medals were designed by Adolph A. Weinman. The dies,
engraving and medals were struck by the US mint in Philadelphia. One side
of the medal depicts 2 female figures the tall and stately figure is of
Columbia with her arm out to envelope with the United States flag a youthful
maiden at her side, who typified the Louisiana Purchase Territory. Emblematic
of her reception into the union the youthful maiden is divesting herself
of a cloak decorated with bees that were embroidered thereon which was the
emblem of Napoleon. In the background is the rising sun, marking the dawn
of a new era of progress to the nation. Encircling the two figures are the
words "Universal Exposition United States Of America. In the upper
left corner of the medal is a wreath with the letters US representing the
United States. In the upper right corner of the medal is a wreath with the
letters NJ representing Napoleon. In the lower point of the medal is a wreath
with a Fleur de lis representing the Louisiana Purchase. On each side of
the wreaths are 14 stars representing the 14 territories carved out of the
Louisiana Purchase.
The obverse side has the same wreaths and stars in the
corners. The center has two dolphins symbolizing our eastern and western
boundaries of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Above the dolphins is an
eagle with its wings spread from "ocean" to "ocean".
The inscription reads "Gold Medal (Silver and Bronze Medals were also
given out) Louisiana Purchase Exposition 1904". In addition to the
medal a diploma of award was also given to the recipient. The medal weights
approximately 3.5 ounces.
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