So-Called Dollars

"World’s" Industrial & Cotton Centennial Exposition - 1884-1885 - New Orleans, LA

Purpose: To commemorate centennial of first shipment of cotton from United States to England and to advertise cotton industry, encouraging wider use of that staple.

Organization: National Cotton Planters Association was original sponsor. In May 1883, Congress created National Commission with authority to select site. New Orleans business leaders immediately chartered Exposition Co.; secured commitments to $225,000 of stock, then difficult feat for any southern city. There being "no competition for the honor" and "because of public opinion," Commission quickly selected New Orleans as site. City and State granted $100,000 each; Congress $1,000,000.

Site: Almost 200 acres in Upper City Park, now port of Audubon Park.

Dates, Attendance: Dec. 16, 1884 to June 1, 1885. Attendance almost 750,000; 400,000 paid.

Participants: Southern "cotton" states most prominent with many erecting own buildings; additional ones represented on more limited basis along with 22 foreign countries. Numerous Federal displays included a Mint Exhibit.

Comment: 76 acres "under roof." Main building, 2178 ft. by 905 ft., was architectural marvel of its day. Electric lighting, barely born, was one of wonders of exposition; Liberty Bell, popular exposition item, was on display.

Medals: Official Medal struck in Mint Exhibit on grounds.

OFFICIAL MEDAL

Obverse: 3 female figures, one standing, others kneeling at each side—all within center circle; outside, around The World’s Industrial & Cot*ton Centennial Exposition*.
Reverse: Edifice and exposition grounds—within center circle; outside, around Held at New Orleans La. * Dec. 16. 1884 to May 31. 1885 *

HK-142 - White Metal. Size 22.
HK-142a - Bronze.

MARDI GRAS DOLLAR

Obverse: Seal of the Mardi Gras, around The King of the Carnival - all within beaded central circle; outside, around Souvenir of the Mardigras and Carnival New Orleans.
Reverse: World globe in upper center; edifice and grounds below; above all, around The Worlds Exposition; below 1844 1885

HK-143 - Gilt. Size 21.
HK-143 - White Metal.

ADDITIONAL MEDAL

Obverse: World globe in center, to l. 1884, to r. 1885; above globe * The World’s * / Industrial and; below globe Cotton Centennial / * Exposition *; beaded border.
Reverse: Scene depicting 3 female figures picking cotton; above New Orleans / La.; Below scene, on narrow ribbon to l., microscopic Alt. Vester., to r. Prov. R I., below 1884; beaded border.

HK-144 - White Metal. Size 27.

Image provided by John Dean