Bronze medal from 1962 Seattle World's Fair (Century 21 Exposition), mounted on a leather wallet or cigarette case

The 1962 Seattle World's Fair, officially known as the Century 21 Exposition, ran from April 21 to October 21, 1962, celebrating the Space Age and technological innovation. This groundbreaking fair attracted nearly 10 million visitors and left behind iconic structures like the Space Needle and the Monorail, showcasing America's vision of the future during the height of the Space Race. Commemorative medals like this one were often incorporated into leather goods such as wallets and cigarette cases, creating premium souvenir items that combined functionality with memorabilia. These combination pieces are particularly prized by World's Fair collectors, enthusiasts of mid-century modern Americana, and collectors of vintage leather goods and smoking accessories. The dual-purpose nature of wallet or cigarette case souvenirs with embedded medals makes them rarer and more desirable than standalone medals, as they represent both the fair's commemorative spirit and the practical elegance of 1960s design.