U.S. Department of Transportation · First U.S. International Transportation Exposition · Original Box
Up for sale is an original Transpo '72 commemorative bronze medal, issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation to mark the First United States International Transportation Exposition, held May 27–June 4, 1972 at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C. This was one of the first national commemorative medals ever specifically authorized by an Act of Congress, and Transpo '72 itself was, per the Wall Street Journal at the time, "the biggest show the government has put on since World War II" — a $10 million, nine-day exposition that drew over a million visitors to see the world's largest air show, new widebody airliners, high-speed trains, and futuristic transit technology.
Transpo '72 was the idea of Congressman L. Mendel Rivers, inspired by the major European air shows of the era (Farnborough, Paris, Hanover). Held on 300 acres at Dulles Airport, the exposition showcased cutting-edge transportation technology of the day — from computer-controlled driverless transit vehicles to an early electric car, the "Electrosport." President Nixon sent welcoming remarks from the Soviet Union for the opening, which was presided over by Secretary Volpe. This medal was struck to commemorate that event and is a piece of 1970s transportation and numismatic history.
Please see photos for exact condition of the medal and box. The original presentation box shows some wear consistent with age (edge wear, minor creasing) — see photos for details.