2017-02-06 Mon

The obverse of an extremely rare 1901 Pan-American Exposition gold medal features the Liberty with a garlanded buffalo. The reverse features two Native Americans sharing a peace pipe. Only two out of the ten possible medals exist today and it is being offered by Rago Auctions on 24th February.

The 194 grams medal came from an estate in New York and is inscribed with the manufacturer’s name along with the gold fineness: GORHAM CO. 24K. The exposition in Buffalo, N.Y. was where President William was attacked on 6th September 1901. Mr. McKinley died on 14th September.

The obverse features the inscription PAN AMERICAN EXPOSITION, ELDRIDGE R. JOHNSON, the receiver of the medal and HERMON MACNEIL SC. The reverse features the inscription BVFFALO / V•S•A• MCMI. The medal comes in an original presentation box featuring the wordings GOLD MEDAL AWARDED / TO / ELDRIDGE R. JOHNSON FOR / VICTOR TALKING MACHINES / PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION / 1901.