So-Called Dollars

PONY EXPRESS TERMINATION CENTENNIAL
1961

Medal issued by National Pony Express Centennial Association, Salt Lake City; designed by Roy J. Olsen; authorized by 86th Congress and struck at Philadelphia Mint. Medal commemorates termination of eighteen months opera­tion of Pony Express brought about by completion of transcontinental telegraph Oct. 24, 1861. President Lincoln characterized Express as "an immortal service to the Union."

Congressional action provided for two medals in two sizes and two metals but only smaller one qualifies for listing here. Issue limited to 3,000 Silver and 15,000 Bronze pieces; sold for $4.50 and $1.50 respectively.

Photos courtesy of John Dean

Obv. In center circle is scene of telegraph key and wire and dismounted horse (symbolizing end of Pony Express); below The Pony Express / Terminated by the Telegraph / Salt Lake City Utah / October 24, 1861; outside circle, above United States 1961 Centennial Medal; at lower border are 34 stars in two rows around.
Rev. In center is horse and dismounted rider, telegraph wires in background; below An Immortal Service / to the Union / signed A. Lincoln; upper border legend * The Pony Express *; lower legend St. Joseph to Sacramento.

NOTE: See also Pony Express Centennial--1960 for both history and other medals.