August 2025 - Denver Coin Club - 1893 World Fair

Dan Roussin gave an interesting talk on the 1893 World Fair and the two coins that were produced ushering in the era of classic commemoratives.

1893 Columbian Half Dollar (50 cents being sold for $1)

1893 Isabella Quarter (25 cents being sold for $1)

I tried to do some research on the cost to travel to the World's Fair and did not get very far in terms of rail cost, lodging, cost, entry, etc.

Admission - 50 cents for adults, 25 cents for children under twelve

Lodging - 50 cents - $2/night

Rail travel New York to Chicago on Limited Express - $28

Ship passage in steerage (First Class, Second Class, Steerage) - $30, Second class could be $50-$100

$200 total for trip to World's Fair? - $6,500 in today's dollars.  For a couple or a family it was a grand adventure.

I am amazed that 27 million people attended.