Pan-Am Buffalo Medal Tribute – 2 oz .999 Fine Silver

A sweeping figure of Liberty and a powerful bison capture the dramatic style of an American world’s fair medal. This Pan-Am Buffalo Medal Tribute brings the imagery of Hermon Atkins MacNeil’s 1901 award medal to 2 troy ounces of .999 fine silver in a 39mm format.

A World’s Fair in Buffalo

MacNeil designed the original award medal for the Pan-American Exposition, held in Buffalo, New York, in 1901. The design uses allegorical figures to express the exposition’s theme of friendship between the Americas. It also offers a glimpse of the sculptural medal tradition at the turn of the twentieth century, when a small circular surface could carry a scene of considerable movement and detail.

The two sides take different approaches to that theme. Liberty and the bison create a lively, forward-moving scene, while the reverse presents two seated figures in a quieter exchange. The contrast gives the medal a story that unfolds as it is turned in the hand.

Obverse: Liberty and the Bison

Liberty moves alongside a bison beneath flowing drapery, with PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION following the upper rim. The animal’s lowered head and the sweep of the figure’s pose give the scene its energy. TWO TROY OZ. appears on the base below, with the silver hallmark underneath, identifying this modern tribute’s metal content.

Reverse: Pan-American Friendship

Two Indigenous figures serve as period allegories for the continents: South America at the left and North America at the right. They share a pipe in a scene intended to represent friendship. BUFFALO, USA and MCMI appear above and between them. MCMI is the Roman-numeral date 1901, connecting the imagery to the original exposition.

Specifications

• Weight: 2.00 troy ounces
• Purity: .999 fine silver
• Diameter: 39mm
• Thickness: Approximately 6mm
• Edge: Reeded
• Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated

This is a modern silver tribute to the exposition medal, not an original award from 1901. Explore more designs in our silver collection.