Souvenir tokens of the World Exhibitions

This review focuses on souvenir tokens distributed during the World Universal Exhibitions between 1851 and 1940. The direction in collecting is not as widespread as, for example, collecting coins, banknotes or the same notgeld, but this did not make it less exciting, at least for me. For what reason? Firstly, there is a connection with very significant events of a global scale, which at one time was the engine of progress in all directions in industry. Secondly, most tokens, especially European ones, were created by leading medallists and engravers of that time, and often they are real works of medal art. And, thirdly, I did not find anything like this on the Internet and therefore decided to slowly exhibit my small collection here, maybe this topic will seem interesting to someone.

I also note that according to the results of the exhibition, the participants were awarded medals of laureates, including those made of noble metals. Unlike souvenir tokens, which anyone could purchase, the medals of the laureates were issued in extremely small editions and are truly unique masterpieces of applied art. Souvenir tokens were produced on blanks with a diameter of about 30-50 mm, medals of laureates 60-70 mm.

Now briefly about international universal exhibitions. The first exhibition was held in London in 1851 under the banner "The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations." For 6 months, 6 million people visited it, and 25 states took part in it. The idea of the organization was enthusiastically accepted all over the world, and the first, after 4 years, was inevitably followed by the second exhibition. This time, the exhibition was held in Paris. Once again, London and Paris alternately received participants, and then the exhibitions went first to the pan-European, and then to the world level, and there was no system at the venue and frequency.

Here is a list of World Exhibitions held between 1851 and 1940. The list also includes unofficial World Exhibitions, unrecognized by the International Bureau of Exhibitions, which was founded in 1920.

1851. The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations. London (UK)

1853. Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations. New York (USA )/ Unofficial
1855. Exposition Universelle des produits de l’Agriculture, de l’Industrie et des Beaux-Arts. Paris (France)
1862. The International Exhibition of 1862, or Great London Exposition. London (UK)

1865. Exposição Internacional do Porto. Porto (Portugal )/Unofficial
1867. Exposition universelle d’Art et d’industrie. Paris (France)

1872. l’Exposition universelle de Lyon. Lyon (France ) /Unofficial
1873. Weltausstellung 1873. Vienna (Austria-Hungary)
1876. International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine. Philadelphia (USA)
1878. Exposition Universelle de 1878. Paris (France)

1879. Sydney International Exhibition. Sydney (Australia )/ Unofficial

1880. Melbourne International Exhibition. Melbourne (Australia)

1884. World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition. New Orleans (USA ) /Unofficial

1885. Exposition Universelle d'Anvers. Antwerp (Belgium )/Unofficial
1888. Exposición Universal de Barcelona. Barcelona (Spain)
1889. Exposition universelle de 1889. Paris (France)
1893. World’s Columbian Exposition. Chicago (USA)
1897. Exposition Internationale de Bruxelles. Brussels (Belgium)

1898. Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. Omaha (USA )/ Unofficial
1900. L'Exposition universelle de 1900. Paris (France)

1901. Pan-American Exposition. Buffalo (USA )/ Unofficial
1904. Louisiana Purchase Exposition. St. Lewis (USA)
1905. Liège International. Liege (Belgium)
1906. Milan International. Milan (Italy)

1907. Irish International Exhibition. Dublin (UK )/Unofficial
1907. Jamestown Exposition. Norfolk (USA )/ Unofficial
1909. Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition. Seattle (USA )/Unofficial
1910. Brussels International Exhibition. Brussels (Belgium)
1913. Ghent International Exposition. Ghent (Belgium)
1915. Panama-Pacific International Exposition. San Francisco (USA)

1915—1916. Panama-California Exposition. San Diego (USA )/ Unofficial

1922—1923. Independence Centenary International Exposition. Rio de Janeiro (Brazil )/Unofficial

1929. Barcelona International Exposition. Barcelona (Spain)

1930. Exposition of 1930. Liege (Belgium )/Unofficial

1930. Exposition Internationale coloniale, maritime et d'art flamand. Antwerp (Belgium )/Unofficial

1933. Century of Progress. Chicago (USA)
1935. Brussels International Exposition. Brussels (Belgium)
1937. Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne. Paris (France)
1939. New York World’s Fair. New York (USA)

1939—1940. Golden Gate International Exposition. San Francisco (USA )/ Unofficial

After the hiatus caused by World War II, in the post-war period, international exhibitions resumed and continue to this day.

The topic will be updated periodically as the collection material arrives.

1878. Exposition Universelle de 1878. Paris (France)

The token is made on a copper billet with a diameter of 31 mm. Legend on the obverse: ADMINISTER. DES MONNAIES - EXPOSITION UNIVERSIELLE - PARIS - 1878 (Mint. World's Fair. Paris. 1878). On the reverse is an image of Marianne - the symbol of the French Republic, surrounded by the inscription REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. Medallier - Jean-Auguste Barre, author of the design of countless medals and coins.

1885. Exposition Universelle d'Anvers. Antwerp (Belgium).

1885 World's Fair poster

The exhibition, held in 1885 in Antwerp, was later not recognized by the International Bureau of Exhibitions, therefore it belongs to the category of unofficial. Despite this, 25 states took part in it, including the Ottoman Empire and the South American states. The exhibition was held in the year of the 20th anniversary of the reign of King Leopold II and the formation of the Free State of the Congo. For the first time, the Congolese village with a human zoo was demonstrated at the exhibition.

Above is one of the tokens of the 1885 World's Fair. Legend on the obverse : EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE D'ANVERS - 1885, on the reverse : ANTWERPEN. The engraver was the famous Belgian sculptor, engraver and medalist Leopold Wiener (Léopold Wiener) - the first engraver of the Brussels Mint, the author of the design of coins of Belgium and the Belgian Congo of that time.

1889. Exposition universelle de 1889. Paris (France)

1889 World's Fair posters

This is the very exhibition for which the Eiffel Tower was erected - one of the main symbols of Paris. The exhibition was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution and was held from May 6 to October 31, 1889. In total, a dozen varieties of medals with a diameter of 50 mm were made as souvenirs for visitors to the exhibition. and a couple of tokens with a diameter of 33 mm. Such a variety of medals was obtained by combining the same plots. Both tokens are represented at the bottom.

On the obverse of a bronze token with a diameter of 33 mm. a wreath with a star above from which rays emanate. Legend of the obverse: REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE - EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE - CENTENAIRE DE 1789 (Republic of France - World Exhibition - centenary of 1789).

On the reverse is an image of Marianne - the symbol of the French Republic, surrounded by the inscription REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. Medallier - Jean-Auguste Barre.

The reverse features two female figures. The first, a seated figure, symbolizes justice with scales in his right hand and a cornucopia in his left hand. The second figure in front of her symbolizes the "Republic," which holds in its hand a shield with the monogram R.F. (REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE, Republic of France). The Arc de Triomphe and the mint press are pictured in the background. Reverse legend: REGIE DES MONNAIES - LOI DU 31 JUILLET 1879 (Mint - Law of July 31, 1879 *). The reverse medalist is Alfred Borrel.

_______________________

* - Laws of July 31 and November 20, 1879 under the name "Regulation of the issue of coins and medals" secured the right to mint coins and medals exclusively for the state. The law centralized the production of coins at the Paris Mint and created a commission to control the circulation of money, responsible for ensuring the regularity of the issuance of coins

1900. L'Exposition universelle de 1900. Paris (France)

1900 World's Fair posters.

The exhibition was held in Paris from April 15 to November 12, 1900 under the motto "Assessment of the Century." More than 50 million people visited the exhibition, which remained a record until 1967. 35 countries took part in the exposition. Moreover, the largest areas were provided to the Russian Empire - the closest ally of the French Republic.

I present to your attention two souvenir tokens dedicated to the World Exhibition held in Paris in 1900 . The first is made on a bronze circle with a diameter of 32 mm. The medallier was Jean-Baptiste-Daniel Dupuis (1849-1899), the author of the design of French bronze coins of regular coinage, issued between 1898 and 1921.

On the obverse is an image of Ceres - the goddess of fertility with a sickle in a wreath. On the reverse is the inscription Souvenir de l'Exposition Universelle de 1900. I will add that the token with the same obverse, but with a different reverse legend, was sold as a souvenir at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis .

The second token with a diameter of 37.5 mm was also issued on a bronze workpiece. The medalist was another eminent French medalist - Henri Auguste Jules Patey (1855-1930). He developed the French 25 centimes, produced in 1903-1905.

The token is issued by the Paris Mint and is dedicated to the business of coin. The obverse depicts the building of the Paris Mint and the date 1900. On the reverse is a plot with technology for casting ingots for minting coins with an inscription in Latin at the top: aere argento auro flando feriundo (copper, silver, gold casting and minting). On the edge of the inscription: Souvenir de L'Exposition (souvenir of the exhibition).

1904. Louisiana Purchase Exposition. St. Lewis (USA)

1904 World's Fair posters

The exhibition was held in Louisiana from May to December 1904. The opening was scheduled for 1903, but for various reasons was repeatedly postponed. This explains the presence of the date "1903" on some tokens.

After a long search, I found on the Internet information on only five souvenir tokens issued at the World Exhibition in St. Louis. I present one of them to your attention. Unfortunately, it was not without needlework: the bronze token was first silver-plated, and then a hole was drilled. Alas, so far only such a copy.

The token is dedicated to the main theme of the 1904 World's Fair - the purchase by the American government from the French Republic of the Louisiana Territory. Diameter 34 mm., Bronze .

On the obverse of the token are profiles of the Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte and US President Thomas Jefferson. Around the image is the inscription LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION - OFFICIAL SOUVENIR (Louisiana Purchase Exhibition - official souvenir). On the reverse is a high-relief map of the United States with a dedicated acquired territory. Legend: LOUISIANA TERRITORY - 1803 - 1000000 square miles - $15,000,000 - St. Louis - 1904 (Louisiana Territory - 1803 - 1 million square miles - $15 million - St. Louis - 1904).

1905. Liège International. Liege (Belgium)

Posters of the 1905 World's Fair

The exhibition was held from April 27 to November 6, 1905. The theme of the exhibition is the 75th anniversary of Belgium's independence from the Netherlands. The token below is the only one that is an official souvenir of the Exhibition. The design was developed by Alphonse Michaux (Alphonse Michaux, 1860-1928) - a famous Belgian engraver and medalist, author of Belgian coins of that time.

The obverse shows a woman representing Science handing wheat to a peasant. At the top is the inscription: EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE LIEGE 1905. On the reverse is a woman personifying Freedom, with a flag and a laurel branch in her hands, leading a lion - a symbol of Belgium against the background of a portrait of the first Belgian monarchs Leopold I and Leopold II.

1906. Milan International. Milan (Italy)

Posters of the 1906 World's Fair

An exhibition on the theme "Sea and land transport" was held in Milan from April 28 to November 11, 1906. For the first time, China and Japan took part in the exhibition.

Due to the fact that the token contains a face value of 20 centesimo, it is included in a number of numismatic catalogs and has a detailed description. The token is made at S. Johnson's private factory in Milan. On the obverse is indicated the denomination, the legend from above VALEVOLE ALL'INTERNO DELL'ESPOSIZIONE (Valid within the Exhibition) and from below DAL COMITATO CONVERTIBILE AL PORTATORE IN MONETA LEGALE DVRANTORE E L'ESPOSIZIONE (Exchanged to bearer for valid currency during the Exhibition). On the reverse, the central place is occupied by a female face, personifying, according to official sources, the ancient Roman goddess of wisdom and war Minerva. Above her head are two figures depicting Italian and Swiss industry. And this is no coincidence, because the exhibition was timed to coincide with the opening of the Simplon Tunnel in the Alps, which connected both states. Left and right on the tapes are the inscriptions ESPOSIZIONE INTERNAZIONALE DI MILANO 1906 (International Exhibition - Milan - 1906).

The name of the engraver in various sources is indicated in different ways. This is either Angelo Cappuccio, or Egigio Boninsegna, or Giannino Castiglioni. There is no reliable information. Also, other sources are not sure that Minerva is depicted on the reverse - they believe that this image symbolizes the ancient Roman goddess of land and fertility Ceres.

1910. Brussels International Exhibition. Brussels (Belgium)

Posters of the 1910 World's Fair

The World Exhibition on the theme "Industries of the World" was held from April 23 to November 1, 1910. This is the second time, after 1897, that the Belgian capital has been chosen as the venue. Despite 13 million visitors, the loss of the organizers from the exhibition amounted to 100,000 Belgian francs. In addition, a fire broke out on August 14, destroying several pavilions. Among the 26 participating countries, the German Empire also took part in the exhibition.

On the Internet, I found information about only one souvenir token. The designer was again Alphonse Michaux.

On the token issued by the mint of Brussels, there are plots demonstrating the minting of coins: on the obverse there is a mechanical method "aujourd hui" (today), on the reverse a manual method with the legend "jadis" (once). The token has a diameter of 30 mm. and is made on a bronze workpiece.

1913. Ghent International Exposition. Ghent (Belgium)

Posters of the 1913 World's Fair

The 1913 exhibition was held in the Belgian city of Ghent from April 26 to November 3. This is the last exhibition held before the First World War. Also, this is one of the last world exhibitions in which visitors were shown a "human zoo" - a very common sight in those days that introduced Europeans to the life of the natives.

I present to your attention a souvenir token issued in honor of the exhibition.

The token has a diameter of 30 mm., Made on a brass workpiece. On the obverse are the profiles of the royal couple - King Albert I and his wife Queen of Belgium Elizabeth of Bavaria. Legend "LLMM. ALBERT – ELISABETH». To the right of the monarch's uniform collar, the signature of the^{medalist L a

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The reverse depicts the building of the entrance to the Exposition. Легенда «SOUVENIR DE L'EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE ET INTERNATIONALE – GAND – 1913». Under the image of the building is the signature of the TONSON medalist.

1939. New York World’s Fair. New York (USA)

Posters of the 1939 World's Fair

The exhibition was held in New York from April 30, 1939 to October 27, 1940 under the slogan "World of Tomorrow." The dimensions of the exhibition space were 4.9 km^2,which is an absolute record not broken to this day. During the Exhibition, World War II began.

The Americans prepared thoroughly, and released three dozen tokens with an exhibition theme. I present to your attention a couple of pieces that are still in my collection.

The diameter of the bronze token is 25.6 mm, the hole is not man-made. The obverse depicts the banner of the Exhibition with the architectural installations "Trilon," "Perisphere" and "Helicline," the legend "SOUVENIR - NEW YORK - WORLD'S FAIR." On the reverse is the administrative building of the pavilions, at the top is the legend "ADMINISTRATION BUILDING."

The diameter of the brass token is 32 mm, the hole is not man-made. On the obverse is a symbol of the exhibition: architectural installations "Trylon," "Perisphere" and "Helicline," the legend "IN 1939 NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR," on the reverse is a composition dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the inauguration of President George Washington, the legend "SOUVENIR OF THE 150th ANNIVERSARY GEORGE WASHINGTON'S."