So-Called Dollars

Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition - 1905 - Portland, OR

Purpose: To commemorate 100th anniversary of exploration of Louisiana Territory and Oregon Country ("Northwest Expedition") by Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

Organization: Governor appointed "preliminary" State Commission 1901. "Lewis & Clark Centennial and American Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair" chartered late 1901, capital $500,000; public subscription to stock. Permanent organization effected January 1902, with contraction of name to Lewis & Clark Centennial Exposition Co. State granted $500,000; Congress $475,000.

Site: Almost 200 acres at Willamette Heights in northwest section of city, "bordering upon and nearly surrounding Guild’s Lake"; latter filled subsequently and area now largely industrial.

Dates, Attendance: June 1 to Oct. 14, 1905. Attendance over 2,500,000; probably one-half paid.

Participants: Fourteen states "officially" by own legislative action; four more "unofficially." While Congress granted financial aid, it did not authorize President to extend foreign invitations. However, official invitations from exposition co. were transmitted to foreign exhibitors at St. Louis in 1904 via U. S. Department of State and Louisiana Purchase Exposition Co. "In this manner and through other channels, a very respectable representation" was obtained from sixteen nations. Many Federal displays included Mint Exhibit.

Comment: Preliminary was construction of Lewis and Clark monument, Washington Park, Portland; President Roosevelt laid cornerstone May 1903. State emphasis was on Fisheries, Forestry and Mining but seven major exhibition "palaces" offered usual national exposition fare. Forestry building still stands, was used during Oregon Centennial Exposition 1959; is known as "World’s largest log cabin." Late Farran Zerbe supervised numismatic display that was "greatest ... ever at any exposition"; also directed sale of Lewis & Clark commemorative gold dollars, medals, etc.

Medals: For reasons unknown, Mr. Kenney failed to list Official Souvenir Medals authorized by Exposition and struck in Mint Exhibit on grounds. Farran Zerbe reported these were of "1 type, 2 metals and 3 finishes," per below, that "issue was small compared with similar products and all were sold prior to close of Exposition." At same time (1906), he stated Silver medal was "very scarce" even then.

OFFICAL MEDALS

Obverse: Full female figure between two full male figures, all striding and facing rear toward setting sun and ocean in background; 5 stars above; above Sighting the Pacific 1805; around Official Souvenir Lewis and Clark · Centennial Exposition; below all June—October / 1905
Reverse: Map of Pacific Coast (British Columbia to San Francisco) with various worded trade routes to west and, vertical, Pacific Ocean - all within center circle; outside, around · Westward the · Course of Empire Takes Its · Way *; below Portland Oregon 1905

HK-325 - Silver. Size 22.
HK-326 - Gold-Plated Bronze.
HK-327 - Bronze.

U. S. GOVERNMENT BUILDING DOLLARS

First two medals below were only ones listed previously for exposition; obviously, they were not Official issues.

Obverse: Conjoined busts l.; above Lewis and Clark; below busts are crossed rifle, oar and telescope; below, around Centennial 1905 Exposition; beaded border.
Reverse: Edifice across center; above at top Lewis & Clark / (in small letters) U. S. Government / Bldg.; below edifice Portland, / Oregon; below all, around Centennial Exposition; beaded border.

HK-328 - Silver, antiqued, Size 22.
HK-329 - Bronze.
HK-330 - Gilt bronze.
HK-331 - Bronze but reeded edge. Size 23.
HK-331a - Gilt bronze. Same as No. 331.
HK-332 - Bronze but reeded edge. Size 24.
HK-332a - Gilt bronze. Same as No. 332.

Image provided by John Dean

HK-333 - Bronze but no date on Obv. plain edge. Size 22.
HK-333a - Gilt bronze. Same as No. 333.

Image provided by John Dean

WASHINGTON STATE BUILDING DOLLAR

Obverse: Same as above.
Reverse: Same as above except Washington State / Building above edifice (instead of U. S. Government Bldg.)

HK-334 - Brass, reeded edge. Size 24.