1895 Cotton States and International Exposition Medal

Carolina Relic Hunter · May 10, 2026

Wondered into a new field today not expecting much. The field was very quiet not even a blink of iron and then all of a sudden a large blast to the ears. A couple scoops later exposed this unique gem. I never even knew such an exposition existed, but am glad to learn more about it thanks to this find. Enjoy!

Second picture is the makers mark, but I cannot find anything specific on it.

Mackaydon · May 10, 2026

I.M. Garfinkel, a Philadelphia-based jeweler and novelty manufacturer operating in the early 20th century.
Items bearing this stamp typically relate to a few specific historical categories:

🌟 Notable Types & Commemoratives

World's Fair/Expos: Garfinkel produced souvenir medals and tokens for large public events, such as cotton or regional expositions held in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
WWI Militaria: The company is well-known for producing commemorative World War I medals. A prime example is the 1917 General John J. Pershing medal, which often features military encampment designs (such as Camp Dix or Camp Meade).
Historical Replicas: I.M. Garfinkel also produced replica or fantasy commemorative medals for historical events, such as early American Independence themes.

Many items marked "Made for I.M. Garfinkel" (or bearing his stamp) are private-label commissions. In the numismatic and militaria community, the company often outsourced the actual minting and striking to larger, noted medal manufacturers—most famously the Krider firm in Philadelphia.

per AI
Don in SoCal

E-Trac-Ohio · May 10, 2026

A great find that's also in great condition - congrats ! :icon_thumleft:

Carolina Relic Hunter · May 10, 2026

Mackaydon said:
I.M. Garfinkel, a Philadelphia-based jeweler and novelty manufacturer operating in the early 20th century.
Items bearing this stamp typically relate to a few specific historical categories:

🌟 Notable Types & Commemoratives

World's Fair/Expos: Garfinkel produced souvenir medals and tokens for large public events, such as cotton or regional expositions held in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

WWI Militaria: The company is well-known for producing commemorative World War I medals. A prime example is the 1917 General John J. Pershing medal, which often features military encampment designs (such as Camp Dix or Camp Meade).

Historical Replicas: I.M. Garfinkel also produced replica or fantasy commemorative medals for historical events, such as early American Independence themes.

Many items marked "Made for I.M. Garfinkel" (or bearing his stamp) are private-label commissions. In the numismatic and militaria community, the company often outsourced the actual minting and striking to larger, noted medal manufacturers—most famously the Krider firm in Philadelphia.

per AI

Don in SoCal

Very cool, Thanks! I’ve been looking but have not see the jeweler reference

oldmxrat · May 10, 2026

Congrats on that top shelf recovery!

Trezurehunter · May 11, 2026

That is a very nice commemorative badge.

Red-Coat · May 11, 2026

Nice find. Seems to have been a souvenir of the exposition, for which there are other designs too:

Also there are a number of other medals from the late 1800s to early 1900s with the same generic surround used by a number of makers, but with different images and lettering related to other expositions and events. This one marked 'SCHWAABS & S CO' for the Schwaab Stamp & Seal Company of Milwaukee, a popular maker of tokens, medals and badges:

Carolina Relic Hunter · May 11, 2026

Red-Coat said:
Nice find. Seems to have been a souvenir of the exposition, for which there are other designs too:

View attachment 2253297

Also there are a number of other medals from the late 1800s to early 1900s with the same generic surround used by a number of makers, but with different images and lettering related to other expositions and events. This one marked 'SCHWAABS & S CO' for the Schwaab Stamp & Seal Company of Milwaukee, a popular maker of tokens, medals and badges:

View attachment 2253298

Yes, I came across a few similar designs too. explains why mine says "made for" instead of "made by". I have not found any other pictures of the one I found yet, but I'm still looking around.