Award of National Export Exposition

Art Historical Context

This striking white metal medal, created by Augustus C. Frank in 1899, issued as an award for the National Export Exposition. Measuring just two inches in diameter, the piece exemplifies the commemorative medals popular at world’s fairs and industrial expositions of the era. Its compact size and durable material made an ideal token of recognition, celebrating American achievements in manufacturing and international trade during a period of rapid economic expansion. The inclusion of Benjamin Franklin among the figures depicted connects the medal to enduring symbols of American ingenuity and commerce. Frank’s design draws on established portrait traditions to honor the founding father’s legacy as a diplomat and inventor, linking late-19th-century industrial progress to the nation’s founding ideals. Such medals served both as tangible rewards for exhibitors and as portable reminders of the United States’ growing role in global markets. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum’s American Wing, this object offers visitors a glimpse into the intersection of art, industry, and national identity at the turn of the twentieth century. Its gift to the museum in 1907 underscores its value as a historical document of American enterprise.