Brimming with rich historical provenance and striking relief artistry, this timeless treasure captures the legendary spirit of the golden state's foundational era. Struck to commemorate the 1769 Portola Expedition and the 1969 California Bicentennial, the obverse features a deeply detailed scene of Spanish explorers on horseback under the title 'La Fiesta de las Rosas'. The reverse showcases an elegant cartographic map profile of California, proudly declaring San Jose as the first state capital. What makes this medal truly extraordinary is its unique physical pedigree: it is minted utilizing historical copper recovered directly from early Spanish expedition footprints on the old mission grounds of Santa Clara. Perfectly aligned with the Heritage Comfort pillar, this artifact bridges West Coast historical precision with sophisticated, storybook character. Style this exceptional medal on a quiet study desk alongside weathered leather books, or mount its protective flip display proudly on a rustic fireplace mantel tucked near a potted fern to immediately infuse your space with lived-in comfort, nostalgic charm, and a sense of enduring craftsmanship.
- Maker: California Bicentennial Commission / Official Commemorative Minting
- Era: Late Mid-Century (Dated 1969)
- Dimensions: Approximately 32mm Diameter (1.25 inches)
- Material: Commemorative Cast Copper / Recovered Historic Santa Clara Mission Ground Expedition Elements
- Honest Condition: Beautiful vintage condition showing true visual honesty and preservation. The copper surfaces remain highly vibrant with a warm, authentic chocolate-brown patina and crisp, unrubbed high-point details on both the explorers and the typography. The piece is securely housed in its original, vintage white cardboard coin flip, which features handwritten archival notes 'Calif Bicentennial' in faded red ink, rusted staples, and natural edge toning, preserving its structural and historic integrity exactly as found.
We invite you to bring this curated piece into your home today. Enjoy the ease of Free Shipping on all online orders and a worry-free 30-day return policy to ensure complete confidence in your vintage acquisition."
"Official 1969 California Bicentennial Portola Expedition Commemorative Copper
SHIPPING INFO
Free for you, most economical for me.
Color
Copper brown
Item Manufacturer/ Maker
California Bicentennial
RETURNS or PROBLEM WITH ITEM:
Please, if for any reason this item is not what you expected, contact me BEFORE filing a claim or starting a return. If this item is damaged during delivery I will send you a refund or a replacement, if I have one. This will save us time and energy in resolving whatever the problem is. I care about your satisfaction.
New or Used
Item is encased in closed see thru packet




































