So-Called Dollars

Century of Progress Exposition - 1933-1934 - Chicago, IL

Purpose: To establish both centennial of Chicago as municipality and "century of progress" in science, engineering and technology.

Organization: Our second largest exposition; company chartered 1930, bonds sold to public. This was unique World’s Fair venture because (1) no governmental subsidies were sought or accepted; (2) despite national depression, it was financial success—only international exposition to pay its debts, reimburse its bond holders in ful1 plus interest and still have cash surplus at closing. All this at cost of over $50,000,000.

Site: Over 400 acres on shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago’s southside; then and now part of city’s public parks system.

Dates, Attendance: May 27 to Nov. 12, 1933 and 1934. Total attendance over 39,000,000 paid.

Participants: Practically all states and territories; many housed exhibits in giant Hall of States; others erected own buildings; Tremendous industrial representation but, by comparison, "poor support" by foreign countries. While no financial aid sought from Congress, United States did erect $1,000,000 Federal Building; extensive national displays included Mint Exhibit.

Comment: Dozen major palaces and 200 other buildings designed for "honest functioning." Architecture was "ultramodern," complete departure from past "following no pattern...of former expositions; depended on simple planes, color and lighting for character and effectiveness"; outstanding feature was color, with little ornamentation or decoration. All emphasis given to scientific and industrial progress; Hall of Science, 80 acres, was focal point. At other extreme, Sally Rand’s show grossed $1,500,000 in 1933 alone!

Medals: Official Medals struck in Mint Exhibit on grounds; designed by Emil Robert Zettler, sculptor and head of Industrial Art Section of Chicago’s Art Institute. Issued in 2¾ in., 2¼ in. and 1½ in. sizes; only latter qualifies for listing here. Two larger sizes were struck for both years, second year’s issue bearing "1934 edition" on reverse, but 1½ in. medal is known only in 1933 issue. On obverse, male figure is symbol of energy and action; represents intellectual arch between man’s resources and man’s work; words "Research" and "Industry" Fair’s Theme.

OFFICIAL MEDAL

Obverse: Full male figure, nude with flowing loin-cloth, outspread arms and legs, on top of and astride pillars; under r. foot 1833, under l. foot 1933; under r. hand, vertical Research, © to lower l., leaves above hand; under l. hand, vertical Industry, below is microscopic E R Z, above hand is small graph.
Reverse: Relief map of Exposition grounds and lake, above is directional N arrow, to l. is small vertical Zettler (designer) —all within large center circle; outside around A — Century — of — Progress — International — Exposition — Chicago — 1933 —

HK-463 - Bronze. Size 24.

A. & P. CARNIVAL DOLLARS

Obverse: Within wreath of fruits and vegetables A & P / Carnival / small Chicago Worlds / Fair / 1933; above wreath, on ribbon A Century of / Progress.
Reverse: A large pig, standing l. holding bowl of fruit and vegetables, on bowl A & P; below on ribbon Hi-Ho; at bottom edge, small T.S

HK-464 - Gilt. Size 22.

Obverse: Same as 464.
Reverse: A large cow, jumping over flower; below on ribbon Cheerio; above is a larger flower; at bottom edge, small T.S

HK-464A - Gilt. Size 22.

FORD DOLLARS

Obverse: In center is radiator front of 1933 Ford car; across radiator, in script, Ford; to l. vertical 1903; to . vertical 1933
Reverse: Large V-8 (super-imposed on each other) within and upon open wreath; above Thirty Years; below wreath of Progress

HK-465 - Bronze. Size 22.
HK-465a - Copper.

Image provided by Jonathan Brecher

Obverse: Gear wheel covers most of surface; across is horizontal V-8 (superimposed on each other) pointing l.; above to r. Ford / Exposition; below V-8 is 1934; at bottom edge, small W D T
Reverse: Large vertical V-8 (superimposed on each other); at upper l. Ford; below, around A Century · of · Progress Chicago

HK-466 - Bronze. Size 22.

GREENBUCK DOLLARS

Following issue struck both years by Greenbuck Co., Chicago, with variations as indicated.

Obverse: Involved design of full female figure, seated r., holding miniature log cabin in l. hand, sky-scrapers in r. background —all superimposed on spokes of wheel; at l. edge, around A Century of, to r. edge, around Progress; below all, microscopic Greenbuck Co Chi.
Reverse: Relief map of Exposition grounds and lake; above to l. 1833, above to r. 1933; below all Chicago.

HK-467 - Bronze. Size 24.

Image provided by John Dean

Obverse: Same as above.
Reverse: Same as above except upper right date is 1934.

HK-468 - Bronze, thick planchet. Size 24.
NOTE: There is difference also in color of metal in these two medals, that for 1933 being darker.

HALL OF SCIENCE DOLLAR

Obverse: Edifice; above Hall of Science; below edifice A Century of / Progress / Chicago / 1933
Reverse: Similar to reverse of No. 474.

HK-469 - Gilt. Size 21.

Image provided by Jonathan Brecher

INDIAN HEAD DOLLAR

Obverse: Indian head, full front with feather headdress, superimposed on city skyline; above all A Century of Progress; at neck of Indian, to l. 1833; to r. 1933-4; below Chicago.
Reverse: In center circle is spread-winged eagle facing l.; outside circle, around are 5 stars at l. and 4 stars at r.; at top Take Me; at bottom For Luck; beaded border.

HK-470 - Brass. Size 21.

ITALIAN EXHIBIT DOLLAR

Obverse: Draped female figure, hand raised to shield face from fiery sun; Chicago buildings in background; legend around, A — Century — of — Progress — Chicago — MCMXXXIII; designer’s name, Johnson, below left foot.
Reverse: Nude, muscular male figure marches l., before huge outspread eagle’s wing; legend around, == Mostra== ltaliana A.XI.E.F. ==; signed Nagni in lower r. field.

Figures in very high relief; design on both sides is set on concave field which raises near outer edge to form high rim.

HK-471 - Bronze. Size 22.

Image provided by John Dean

MARTIN LUTHER DOLLAR

Obverse: Male bust part r.; to l. 1483, to r. 1546 - all within center circle; outside above, around 450th Anniversary of Birth November 10 1933; below .... Martin Luther
Reverse: at top, around A Century of Progress; edifice below, to l. 1833 / From Century / to r. 1933 / To Century; across The Lutheran Church / Proclaims / Her Unchanging Faith / That Jesus Christ / Died for All; below Chicago

HK-472 - Bronze. Size 23.

Image provided by Jonathan Brecher

MICHIGAN DOLLAR

Obverse: State Seal within circle; outside, above * Michigan *; outside below, around A Century of Progress Exposition
Reverse: Relief map of Michigan within beaded circle; outside, above * The Nation’s Playground *; outside, below Come to Michigan to Play

HK-473 - Gilt, reddish. Size 21.
HK-473a - Aluminum.
HK-473b - Dow Metal. On Obverse, Dow Metal inside diamond.

TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT DOLLAR

Obverse: Edifice of ornate or contemporary design; above Travel and Transport; below edifice A Century of / Progress / Chicago 1933
Reverse: Four-leaf clover within a horseshoe, wishbone below; above all, around Keep Me for Good Luck

HK-474 - Gilt. Size 21.

Image provided by Jonathan Brecher

UNIFACE DOLLAR

Obverse: In center is upright rectangular shield bearing design of Exposition; on shield, at top 1933; at bottom A Century / of Progress / Chicago; 6 lines extending out from shield divide surface into 6 equal parts, each bears on edifice; from upper right, clockwise around Electrical Building, Travel & Transport, Hall of Science, Fort Dearborn, The Adler Planetarium, The Shedd Aquarium.
Reverse: UNIFACE except for microscopic Spies Bros. / Chi. at lower edge.

HK-475 - Bronze. Size 23.