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1227
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1939 New York Worlds Fair Souvenir Coin Token, Copyright #593
Neat piece of historical memorabilia or souvenir from the great 1939 New York World's Fair. This is a souvenir coin or token which has a hole in it at one end to permit wearing on a chain if so desired (we do not have the chain). A round small metal coin whose color is that of slightly tarnished brass, although we don't know for sure if this is made of brass but a magnet does not stick to it. We believe this to be an authenic souvenir of this event (we don't know if they even have made reproductions...we are not experts on these pieces) because on one side in small type there is a copyright symbol (c in a circle) with the initials "N.Y.W.F." and on the same side opposite this there is a number, "593", in small type which may be the number of issue.
This antique piece is decorated with raised decor on both sides. On one side is a picture of the Trylon and Perisphere from the World Fair, surrounded by clouds and a rayed line design, with words circling this on three sides saying "SOUVENIR NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1939". The copyright symbol and initials mentioned above are next to the "S" in Souvenir, with the number "593" next to the "9" in 1939. The hole for hanging is between the words "York" and "World's". On the other side of the coin is a central picture of the Empire State Building , again surrounded by clouds and rayed lines, with the name of the building above this and what looks like horseshoes around the bottom half of the coin near the edge, we presume to symbolize Good Luck to the recipient. On this side the hole is under the base of the building.
Vintage token measures about 1 3/16 in diameter and is shown in one image below with a quarter for size comparison. There are five images overall, with the coin photographed in some lying flat while in others it is leaning or propped up, causing the color to look different due to lighting reflections and angles from the camera. We have shown the coin both ways to deal with the white "hot spots" lighting reflection from the camera and provide differing views of the coin details and condition.
This souvenir is in wonderful old condition but it is not mint, and has a circulated look. As you can see in the images, there is some orange dirt/spotting/rust/tarnish in the clouds near the Perisphere and some darkening around the hole on both sides of the coin. You can see wear/aging/rubbed spots/wear dots/scratches on both sides of the coin, and there are definite spots where the top shiny surface has been worn away revealling similar colored but duller metal underneath, such as on the Perisphere and the clouds on this side, and in smaller spots elsewhere. There is expected wear to the edges of the token (rubbed spots, worn away spots, scratches, etc.). Definitely not a newly minted look, but to us this is not bad and not unexpected for a piece of this age and it adds to the age believability.
A great addition to any collection of commemorative pieces from this Worlds Fair or a collection of World's Fair pieces in general, as well as a nice item for inclusion in any collection of souvenir tokens or exonumia.
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