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1898 Trans-Mississippi Expo Hk-283 So Called Dollar Grades Select AU

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:125.00 - 250.00 USD
1898 Trans-Mississippi Expo Hk-283 So Called Dollar Grades Select AU
1898 Trans-Mississippi Expo Hk-283 So Called Dollar Grades Select AU. Up for Auction is an 1898 Trans- Mississippi Congress Expo token. The purpose of the Expo was "To display the products, manufactures and industries of the states and territories west of the Mississippi River." After the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 was a “revelation to the people of the nation" and "inspiration to leading men elsewhere to think of similar enterprises." Trans-Mississippi Congress, composed of representatives of western states, met annually; their Convention November, 1895, at Omaha selected that city as site; exposition company organized January, 1896. Financial panic of 1893 and droughts of 1894 and 1895 developed opposition and difficulties. However, funds raised by public subscription; state and county granted $100,000 each; Congress $250,000. After exposition closed, stockholders recovered 90% of "face value of stock," an unprecedented financial result. The Congress settled On a "plateau of ground," about 184 acres, in northeast section of city; now built over except for small park, Kountze Park and from June 1 to Oct. 31, 1898 with Attendance over 2,500,000; the congress took in over $1,750,000. Attending the expo when Spanish-American War broke out in April, of 1898, all national publicity was directed there. Confronted with both War and "stupor of discouragement and depression" pervading "all business and all peoples," many prospective exhibitors cancelled space. However, 40 states and territories (9 erected own buildings) and 10 foreign countries represented. "Separate" exhibitors exceeded 5,000; many Federal displays included Mint Exhibit. All the buildings were "of simple classic (Ionic) design, influenced by French Renaissance styling" without excess ornamentation, of ivory white and with uniform gray-green roofs. First "bold" use of incandescent bulbs as against arc lights of previous expositions. Mining exhibits, including process of extracting precious metals from ore, were "outstanding"; gold exhibit was "phenomenal," that from Alaska one containing specimen of every camp there.