Loess Hills Collectibles is proud to present a series of commemorative medallions honoring the bicentennial anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition which took place in the years 1804-1806.

In March 1803, Thomas Jefferson the third president of the United States, instructed his minister to France, Robert R. Livingstone, to buy New Orleans from France or to secure permanent rights to transship American goods through the port. Napoleon, finding himself overextended militarily and hoping to consolidate his causes, suddenly offered to sell the whole of the Louisiana Territory for the sum of $15,000,000. The Louisiana Purchase agreement, which was dated April 30, 1803, more than doubled the size of the United States of that day.

The Corps of Discovery military expedition, led by Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, explored and mapped the Louisiana Territory along the course of the Missouri River to the Continental Divide and along the Clearwater, Snake and Columbia Rivers to the Pacific. This expedition found a beautiful, rich land, full of natural resources, natural wonders, and Native Americans. We salute their courage, their stamina, their vision, and their resolve to complete this mission against great odds, great unknowns, and great barriers! Our Lewis & Clark bicentennial commemorative medallions salute the American spirit of exploration, adventure, and discovery! We thank the Northwest Territorial Mint for making this spirit come alive on each commemorative rendering.