Advanced Search 
View: Obverse
World's Columbian Exposition Commemorative Presentation Medal
Designed by: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (American (born in Ireland), 1848–1907)
and: Charles E. Barber (American (born in England), 1840–1917)
Struck by: Scovill Manufacturing Co., Waterbury, Connecticut (1820–1905)
and: Charles E. Barber (American (born in England), 1840–1917)
Struck by: Scovill Manufacturing Co., Waterbury, Connecticut (1820–1905)
Dated 1892–93; struck 1895–96
Medium/Technique
Bronze
Dimensions
Diameter and weight: 77 mm, 207.7 gm (3 1/16 in., 0.5 lb.)
Credit Line
Gift of Cornelius C. Vermeule III in memory of Walter Muir Whitehill
Accession Number2005.1130
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsNumismatics – Medals
DescriptionObv: Christopher Columbus striding ashore from a boat carrying three other figures, one holding a large banner that fills the field to the left. To the right two miniature ships pass through the Pillars of Hercules with PLVS / VLTRA between them, CHRISTOPHER / COLVMBVS / OCT XII / MCCCCXCII in the field to the right and signed AVGVSTVS SAINT-GAVDENS FECIT at the bottom.
Rev: A plaque reading WORLD'S · COLUMBIAN · EXPOSITION / IN · COMMEMORATION · OF · THE / FOUR · HUNDREDTH · ANNIVERSARY / OF · THE · LANDING · OF · COLUMBUS / · MDCCXCII · MDCCCXCIII · / TO [a raised plate embossed] BOSTON WATER BOARD is surmounted by a globe with two allegorical nudes, torches to left and right and surmounting a ship at sail on stylized waves. Signed in the exergue C. E. BARBER FECIT
Edge: plain
Rev: A plaque reading WORLD'S · COLUMBIAN · EXPOSITION / IN · COMMEMORATION · OF · THE / FOUR · HUNDREDTH · ANNIVERSARY / OF · THE · LANDING · OF · COLUMBUS / · MDCCXCII · MDCCCXCIII · / TO [a raised plate embossed] BOSTON WATER BOARD is surmounted by a globe with two allegorical nudes, torches to left and right and surmounting a ship at sail on stylized waves. Signed in the exergue C. E. BARBER FECIT
Edge: plain
ProvenancePresented to the Boston Water Board in 1896; to Cornelius C. Vermeule, Sr., a civil engineer and consultant to the Boston Water Board; by descent through the family to Cornelius C. Vermeule III; to the MFA, 2005, gift.