W A Y S   A N D   M E A N S   D E P A R T M E N T

Zachary T. Lindsey, Manager.

B U R E A U   O F   S O U V E N I R   C O I N S



Under the Act of Congress giving recognition to the Exposition, provision was
made for the establishment and operation of a United States coining press in
the Government Building on the Grounds.  It was planned to provide an
Exposition souvenir coin, to be coined upon such press, that would be
especially typical and appropriate.  It was decreed that upon the obverse side
of the medal should be impressed the best composite type of Trans-Mississippi
womanhood.  This was obtained by collecting the photographs of the handsomest
women of the states and territories of the Trans-Mississippi country, secured
through the various state Vice-presidents, two from each state and territory,
from which the composite photograph was secured.

The reverse side of the medal was modeled after a design submitted by Thomas R.
Kimball of Omaha, representing an Indian spearing a buffalo and was indicative
of the period when the Trans-Mississippi region was new and unknown.

By special arrangement, the dies for these coins were made at the United States
Mint at Philadelphia, Penn. at a cost of $400.  They were all "coined" at the
press in the U.S. Government Building and sold from there and other points on
the grounds.  About 25,000 in all were "coined" and sold.  The net cash results
attending their issue and sale were as follows:

Total cash receipts,.....................$5,963.00
Total expenses and charges,..............$3,027.63
Net profits,........................$2,935.37