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keets
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After chasing down Pan American medals unsuccessfully for the past 5-10 year I finally was able to add one to my collection from yesterday's fist session at the March Stack's sale. I had hoped to own a Bronze example but "settled" for a Silver medal. 
Actually, I was surprised to have won: I had entered my max bid and although I was following live I hadn't intended to increase my bid, content to watch the price rise higher than I was willing to go and living to bid another day. In fact, I had PM'd with member Zoins and expressed as much.
I find this design to be quite breath-taking and iconically American. Many don't realize that the Hermon McNeil design from 1901 was actually somewhat of a precursor and inspiration for the James Frazier designed Buffalo Nickel. The inscribed name of the initial recipient, Benjamin Velasco, has proven to stymie me thus far. I believe he was Filipino due mainly to the fact that that's where my searches have directed me, but haven't found anything yet that tells me who he was and what he received the award for. Perhaps someone can help with either a direct link or a list of medal recipients from the Exhibition.
If you have one of these medals, and I know quite a few of the membership own them, please post a picture. I never get tired of looking at them.
Al H.
Comments
That's a great medal! You don't see these as much as the bronze examples, in my experience. It also took me a number of years to come up with mine, but I have included it below with the original presentation box. Apparently, it was awarded for "Prize Raspberries"...
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Something quite a bit more unusual, in my experience, and also related to this exposition is the parchment award certificate. I have only seen two for sale over the years and I was fortunate enough to get one of those two for myself. They are huge, over 18-inches by 15-inches, are filled out by hand and have a metallic seal on the bottom center.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1036957/central-states-win-just-arrived-1901-macneil-pan-american-exposition-medal-in-gilt
That's a nice one, Al! Here's my one and only. This is probably my favorite medal.
Good catch Al! Congrats!!
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
I've posted this elsewhere on the forum but I'll post it again-
Original mintages for the Pan American medals is unknown, however, The St. Louis Republic newspaper from October 10, 1901, published a list of awards presented at the Exposition. There were
887 gold medals,
1,159 silver, and
1,147 bronze presented.
This is a wonderful piece. The design is spectacular. What I like especially, is the surface finish that was used for these medals. I can’t describe it precisely, but it is an extremely fine satin finish.
Nearly all examples of this award show some evidence of handling...which of course is typical of many award medals of this size from the era. The bronze example that auctioned yesterday had some extreme chatter. Far worse than the “light rub” that was used in the auction description. Knowing you only through reading your posts here, I would bet that you wouldn’t have been satisfied with the bronze. Glad you settled, @keets!
A menagerie of U.S. Mint medals
My favorite medal too. Both obverse and reverse are equally stunning. Not always the case with medals.
peacockcoins