Denver 1898 Mountain and Plain Festival Medallion

[diggingthe1]

Wow, found this yesterday. I can't find a match to it which is strange. It was quite a big festival and had something to do with a silver serpent. I'm pretty happy finding this piece. I love the old Denver stuff, especially mountain and plain items. The cast iron is a three legged with a gate mark!! Happy Hunting!!!

 

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[robertk]

I'm guessing it was a souvenir or commemorative piece for that festival. Info on the festival itself is easy to find. See for example Wikipedia, the Colorado Virtual LIbrary, and the Denver Public Library. The serpent part is about a parade held at the festival by/for the Slaves of the Silver Serpent, a fraternal organization of the time. Here's a pic of the badge from an EBay listing that has since been removed.

 

[tamrock]

Good ID rovertk. Seems at one time Denver may of had its own idea of a Mardi Gras type celebration back then. Neat story that's kinda lost to time find there Digg's. I really dig that Silver Serpent from the story of the Festival of Mountain & Plain.

 

[The Rebel]

That's a really cool find as well as the history behind it!

 

[diggingthe1]

I'm guessing it was a souvenir or commemorative piece for that festival. Info on the festival itself is easy to find. See for example Wikipedia, the Colorado Virtual LIbrary, and the Denver Public Library. The serpent part is about a parade held at the festival by/for the Slaves of the Silver Serpent, a fraternal organization of the time. Here's a pic of the badge from an EBay listing that has since been removed.

View attachment 2173164

Thanks Robert, I love the information. One of my first finds was from the Mountain and plains. I posted it on Treasurenet but I think it is lost to time now. It's still one of my favorites. I'm thinking this is a pretty rare one. I'll post it on the Colorado history Facebook page. I know there are a few big collectors of the stuff. I appreciate the links!!

 

[diggingthe1]

Good ID rovertk. Seems at one time Denver may of had its own idea of a Mardi Gras type celebration back then. Neat story that's kinda lost to time find there Digg's. I really dig that Silver Serpent from the story of the Festival of Mountain & Plain.

What a fun event!! Denver had it going on back then. Thanks for the reply!!

 

[diggingthe1]

That's a really cool find as well as the history behind it!

Thanks, local cool crazy stuff is awesome!!

 

[tamrock]

What a fun event!! Denver had it going on back then. Thanks for the reply!!

I guess its still in a way happening with the Taste of Colorado event which I've never gone to.

 

[billb]

That’s a great recovery Congratulations…
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