Medals relating to Buffalo
As always, you can click or tap medals to see the reverse. Some medals might have multiple variants that differ in material, size, or other details. If multiple variants are available you can drag or slide medals sideways to display them.
The medal's obverse bears Liberty walking alongside a Buffalo. Around top, PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION; in exergue, field for dedication.
The medal's reverse bears South-American and North-American Native Americans smoking peace pipe together, shields with representations of their respective continents at their feet. Above, BVFFALO / VSA MCMI
The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York from May 1st through November 2nd, 1901. The exposition is most remembered for the shooting of U.S. President William McKinley. Anarchist Leon Czolgosz shot him on September 6th while he was visiting the fair.
The medal exists in plain bronze, silver and gilted bronze variants. The silver variants are very rare but no mintages have been reported.
The medal measures 64mm in diameter and was manufactured by the Gorham Silver Company.
References: Baxter 106, Marqusee 250
The obverse bears kneeling native American brave, peering into distance; behind, grain elevator, air plane, locomotive, powerline and smokestacks. Above, SURELY BUFFALO ADVANCES.
The reverse bears image of Buffalo City Hall. Above, BUFFALO CENTENNIAL; below, 1832 - 1932.
The Buffalo City Hall was completed just one year before the city's centennial. It is one of the largest and tallest municipal buildings in the United States and one of the tallest buildings in Western New York. It was designed by John Wade, chief architect, with the assistance of George Dietel. The friezes were sculpted by Albert Stewart and the sculpture executed by Rene Paul Chambellan.
This medal measures 57mm (2 1/4in) in diameter.
References: Marqusee 16
The medal's obverse bears streamlined locomotive on rail bridge over superhighway. Above, slag factory operations. Around, NO STRUCTURE IS BETTER THAN THE MATERIALS IN IT / THE BUFFALO SLAG COMPANY, INC.
The medal's reverse bears inscription: THE BUFFALO SLAG CO., INC. BUFFALO, N Y / QUALITY / MATERIALS / DEPENDABILITY / PROMPT SHIPMENTS / 35 YEARS of SERVICE / to / RAILRAODS / HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS / BUILDING INDUSTRY / 1913 - 1948.
The medal's material is very appropriately iron and the obverse is as pretty as the reverse is dull. The style looks a bit like Menconi, but I have not seen this medal attributed to any artist. Any information would be appreciated.
This medal measures 89.9mm (3.5in) in diameter. The producer and mintage are not known.
I have seen this medal several times on eBay and it seems to trade between $40 and $85.