Description
Wells Fargo 1892 Columbian Souvenir Coin Keepsake and 1893 silver commemorative Half-Dollar in original presentation card. Exceedingly rare piece of Americana history and US numismatics as only 1,666 sets were distributed. FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM!
Wells Fargo & Co. is one of America’s Wild West true legends – this banking business and express delivery services company was launched in 1852 by Henry F. Wells from Vermont and William G. Fargo from New York. Wells Fargo & Company was established in San Francisco, California, to serve gold miners’ financial needs and provide secure deliveries during the California Gold Rush. By 1880, there were 573 Wells Fargo Offices, Agents and Correspondents in the West. Wells Fargo has famously declared that the company was “absolutely guaranteeing” their handling and delivery of gold to their customers. At the peak of its trade, there were 100 Wells Fargo offices in the California’s Mother Lode area alone.
Wells Fargo had purchased these Columbian Half-Dollars at the original Columbian Expo retail price of $1/ea. In 1893 a total of 1,666 of these presentation sets were distributed to employees; only a small fraction of complete sets survived. The remaining complete sets are very much sought after and regularly bring high premiums at numismatic auctions. Not a bad return on the initial $1 investment 😉 Below is an article by David Provost from 4/12/22 COIN WEEK online publication, which describes the story behind this rare 1893 presentation card/Columbus Half-Dollar commemorative coin set:
The famed company was organized in 1852 by Henry Wells, William G. Fargo, and others in response to the immense profit potential of the burgeoning California mineral industry. The company was capitalized with a $300,000 investment from its organizers and was initially structured to offer banking and express shipping services in California. It quickly established offices in all of the state’s mining camps of significance and became the dominant provider of its services.
From these roots, the company continued to grow and expand its geographic reach. By the time of the Columbian Exposition in 1893, it had grown to include 2,829 offices located across the United States along with agents in England, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Panama. Over 6,000 employees enabled the company to conduct its business over 36,000 miles of railroads, stagecoach roads, and water routes. Wells Fargo handled a significant amount of transport of goods to and from the Exposition.
Ever aware of its history and role in supporting the development of the American West, Wells Fargo launched its first-ever historical exhibit at the World’s Columbian Exposition; it was located in the California Building. The exhibit featured a collection of more than 200 historical artifacts. Featured were photographs of company employees and offices, signs, and posters used to promote its business, and various noteworthy pieces of company correspondence. Also featured were “Cut-off” shotguns used by company employees to defend their shipments and a shotgun used by the infamous outlaw “Black Bart” (real name: Charles E. Boles) who robbed Wells Fargo stagecoaches 28 different times!
In 1893 Wells Fargo Co. presented to employees a “A Keepsake” described as an 1892 “Columbian Souvenir Coin” along with its display card and a copy of the letter from President John J. Valentine regarding the coin. In his January 2, 1893 letter, Valentine announced that the company had purchased a quantity of the Columbian Half Dollars and would be presenting each employee with a “Souvenir Coin” as an “aid in perpetuating a pleasant recollection of the great commemorative event of the present year, to wit, the World’s Columbian Exposition at Chicago, Illinois, and to secure at the same time a little remembrance of our friendly interest in you individually, in appreciation of your faithful services.”
Valentine continued, “The coins are designed simply as souvenirs or keepsakes, and as such will, it is thought, enhance in value from year to year. It is in this spirit our presentation is made, with the hope that as a token of our regard they will be prized and preserved.” To receive a coin, employees applied to either their Superintendent or Route Agent; Office Agents and their reports were to request coins via their Superintendent, Messengers were to apply through their Route Agent.
The coins were distributed in custom-printed cardboard holders that allowed both sides of the coin to be seen. The front of the card was pink in color and featured descriptive text regarding the coin’s commemorative nature and noted its intent as a presentation piece. The back of the card was green and featured a message from John J. Valentine: “A Keepsake from Wells, Fargo & Company. / In Token of Regard / And in appreciation of faithful services.“
The holder was inserted in a pre-printed envelope which left space for the recipient’s name and title to be added, along with their home-office location. The envelope also made note of the coin’s value at $1.00 to further support the piece’s value over its face denomination. The coin and presentation card was not available for sale to the general public. The Wells Fargo archives indicate that 1,666 of the coins in the presentation holders were distributed to employees, with 124 applied for coins left undistributed for unidentified reasons. Clearly, not all of the company’s 6,000 employees applied for one of the coins when they had the chance.
The most recent 9/08/25 Heritage Auctions sale of such “1893 Wells Fargo keepsake 1893 souvenir coin” has realized $960, including the buyer’s premium. Here is the link to that auction sales record. You can a similar piece of history for less, plus we don’t charge buyer’s premiums on our sales 😉 This is a true piece of old Americana and the US numismatic history; don’t miss your chance to add this rare Wells Fargo 1892 Columbian souvenir coin keepsake presentation card to your collection! I have more US coins, silver bars, world coins, as well as medals, tokens, badges, and military decorations in this store available for immediate purchase; please take a look at similar listings within the Coins & Paper Money or militaria sections.
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FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM
International shipping for this item will require delivery via secure Registered International Mail ($44 to most countries) on our “ship-to” list.
