PACIFIC AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION
1930
PORTLAND, OR
Medal was issued privately in anticipation of this
exposition which never took place at all!
Exposition company chartered March 11, 1925;
capitalized at $10,000,000; 95 signatories to Articles of Incorporation
planned to hold "international exposition" in Portland in 1930 to which
would be invited "all the peoples of the globe." Early efforts to raise
$500,000 by public subscription failed; apparently late 1929 Depression
proved final blow; corporation dissolved by State of Oregon Dec. 31, 1945
"for failure to appoint Attorney in Fact."
This medal falls into the class of Relic Medals as it
was struck from metal of U.S.S. Battleship Oregon. Ship was
berthed in Portland following World War I and operated as museum. During
World War II, vessel re-activated and served in Pacific; finally
decommissioned and broken up for scrap. Mast of ship stands in miniature
park, S. W. Front Avenue and Oak Street, Portland.
Metal for issue apparently became available when ship
first was converted to museum; local "builder" had medal struck for later
sale at "exposition." Exact extent of issue cannot be determined.
 
Obv. Full female figure between two full male
figures, all striding and facing rear toward setting sun and ocean in
background (similar to No. 325, Lewis and Clark Official Medal 1905);
below, on ribbon Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way; above
all, around Pacific • American • International • Exposition • 1930;
below • Portland • Oregon • U. S. A. •
Rev. Battleship and rowboat; above, around
Souvenir Metal From the Battleship Oregon; below • Bulldog • of • the
• Navy •
HK-459 Bronze. 34mm.
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