The purchase of the Louisiana territory from France in 1803 introduced approximately 530,000,000 acres of unexplored land to the United States, and spurred an exploratory expedition by the Corps of Discovery beginning in 1804. Created by President Thomas Jefferson in 1803, the corps consisted of 33 U.S. Army volunteers headed by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark. Their mission included devising a route to the Pacific, asserting U.S. sovereignty, and establishing relationships with the indigenous populations. The corps left St. Charles, Missouri on May 21, 1804, and continued westward along the Missouri River. Over the next two years, the group would encounter more than two dozen indigenous tribes and distribute Indian Peace Medals that remain popular with numismatists and historians today. Along with significant scientific observations and a fabled alliance with Sacagawea, this expedition paved the way for a successful understanding and proliferation of the American West. Just over a century later, the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition commemorated this invaluable journey. Held in Portland, Oregon and attracting an estimated 2,500,000 visitors over the course of that summer, the Exposition spotlighted elements of nature, manufacturing and the arts that were significant in the region. Benefiting this exposition was an issue of commemorative gold dollars authorized by Congress on April 13, 1904. Like many numismatic happenings of the early 20th century, this legislation was backed by Farran Zerbe and he handled the promotion and distribution of the proposed dollars. 25,000 1904-dated coins and 35,000 1905-dated coins were struck, but slow sales prompted a large melting that resulted in a net distribution of about 10,000 dollars for each. The present offering represents a pristine and attractive survivor, combining condition rarity with limited availability. The warm sunshine-yellow toning exhibits faint amber saturations in the peripheries of both sides. Bold and well-pronounced for the issue, the devices are frosty and untouched even across the highest points. Subtle reflectivity is visible in the fields immediately surrounding the central design elements, with a more matte-like luster toward the borders. This aesthetically charming and delightful commemorative gold dollar is sure to attract fierce bidding attention! ， Est. $5000-$8000
