So-Called Dollars
HK-1: 1826 Erie Canal Completion Medal
This specimen was lot 7807 in Heritage sale 1277 (July 2018), where it sold for $2,880. The catalog description commented, "1826 Erie Canal Completion Medal MS61 NGC. HK-1, R.6. White metal, 45 mm. Accompanied by the bottom half of the original holder, "made out of a piece of wood, brought from Erie in the first Canal Boat The Seneca Chief."
HK-12: 1869 Pacific Railroad Completion Medal
This specimen was lot 29295 in Heritage sale 1100 (September 2008), where it sold for $517.50. The catalog description commented, "1869 Pacific Railroad Completion Medal MS64 Brown. Julian-CM-39, HK-12. Bronzed copper, 45.4 mm, 49.5 gm. Dies by William Barber. Commemorating the linking of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads on May 10, 1869, in Promontory, Utah, thereby connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean by rail. Obverse: bust of President Grant facing with left, PRESIDENCY OF U.S. GRANT around, THE OCEANS UNITED BY RAILWAY / MAY 10, 1869 in exergue. Reverse: train traveling through landscape scene with scroll above reading EVERY MOUNTAIN SHALL BE MADE LOW, with MEDAL SERIES OF THE U.S. MINT in exergue. The reverse is signed W. BARBER F. with J. POLLOCK DIRECTOR below. R.W. Julian, in his Medals of the United States Mint (1977), provides yearly mintage totals for this medal. Between 1869 and 1904, the Mint documents a total production of less than 500 pieces. The first medals were struck in November of 1868 (32 in silver, 155 in bronze). In the same reference, Julian notes that the obverse is signed 'BARBER on truncation.' The obverse of this medal is without signature, suggesting that it is a later restrike (and the 2008 update to Hibler-Kappen confirms the existence of such pieces). Defect-free rims, well struck details, and dark mahogany coloration define this example. A few wispy hairlines are noted, although not immediately obvious."
HK-20: 1876 Centennial Exposition
Jeff Shevlin, on so-calleddollar.com, comments, "This medal depicts a female representing the United States. She is in a reclining position rising up reaching for the stars, representing greatness. Normally in heraldry, an olive branch is held in the right hand and a sword in the left hand representing that you prefer peace but you will defend yourself if necessary. In this case Liberty is grasping a sword in her right hand indicating that the U.S. will become a world power to be reckoned with. The medal was designed and engraved by William Barber, struck at the U.S. Philadelphia Mint and sold at the 1876 Centennial Exposition."
HK-155: 1893 World's Columbia Expo
This specimen was sold by Heritage Auction in August 2020 for $84. The catalog description commented, "1893 World's Columbia Expo, Official Medal, Small Letters, HK-155, MS63 NGC."
HK-223: 1892-1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Saint-Gaudens Dollar
This specimen was lot 4039 in Stack's Bowers sale of August 2020, where it sold for $144. The catalog description commented, "1892-1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Saint-Gaudens Dollar. HK-223, Eglit-19. Rarity-5. Copper. About Uncirculated. 38 mm. Provenance: From our (Coin Galleries') sale of February 2002, part of lot 1306. Lot tag included."
HK-245: 1894 California Midwinter Exposition
This specimen was lot 175 in Stack's Bowers sale of February 2015, where it sold for $381.88. The catalog description commented, "1894 California Midwinter Exposition. Type I Souvenir Dollar. Brass. 33 mm. HK-245. Rarity-5. MS-63 PL (NGC). The bright golden-brass surfaces are highly reflective and crisply struck on this choice and appealing example."
HK-296: 1902 Wells Fargo & Company Semicentennial
This specimen was lot 2021 in Stack's Bowers sale of December 2020, where it sold for $1,140. The catalog description commented, "1902 Wells Fargo & Company Semicentennial. HK-296. Rarity-5. Silver. MS-63 (NGC). 40 mm. This is a very appealing deep steel-gray example of this scarce type, struck to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famed Wells Fargo Express Company, which played a legendary role in delivering mail, stagecoach passengers and valuables in the Wild West. This Choice Mint State piece is sharply struck on all of the highly complex design elements. The surfaces are free of significant blemishes and present exceptionally well even under close scrutiny with a loupe. Sure to please!"
HK-340: 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
This specimen was lot 10516 in Heritage sale of June 2014, where it sold for $763.75. The catalog description commented, "1906 San Francisco Earthquake AU55 NGC. HK-340. Silver, R.7."
HK-399: 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition
This specimen was lot 6185 in Stack's Bowers sale of August 2019, where it sold for $384. The catalog description commented, "1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Official Medal. Silver. 38 mm. HK-399. Rarity-5. MS-63 (PCGS). Provenance: From the Q. David Bowers Collection."
HK-449: 1920 Manila Mint Opening (Wilson Dollar)
This specimen was lot 3067 in Stack's Bowers sale of November 2020, where it sold for $1,440. The catalog description commented, "1920 Manila Mint Opening (Wilson Dollar). HK-449. Rarity-4. Silver. MS-63 (NGC). 38 mm. Lovely satin to softly frosted surfaces are smooth enough to evoke thoughts of an even higher Mint State grade. Otherwise brilliant, enhancing blushes of golden-russet iridescence are evident at the borders. Designed by Clifford Hewitt with dies by George T. Morgan, this issue celebrates the opening of the Manila Mint in the Philippines, the only overseas mint established by the United States. Just 2,200 silver examples of the issue were struck; they were sold for $1 each at the time of issue."
HK-485: 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition
This specimen was lot 186 in Stack's Bowers sale of February 2014, where it sold for $646.25. The catalog description commented, "1939 Golden Gate International Exposition. Piece of Eight--Treasure Island Dollar. Silver-Plated Brass. 40 mm. HK-485. Rarity-7. AU-58 (NGC). An elusive type, the present example is boldly defined with blended silver gray and pale antique gold."
HK-496: 1948 California Gold Discovery Centennial
This specimen was lot 612 in Stack's Bowers sale of September 2011, where it sold for $92. The catalog description commented, "1948 California Gold Discovery Centennial. Type I. HK-496. Rarity-4. Gilt Bronze. MS-64 (NGC). Antique medium-gold surfaces."
HK-584: 1960 Pony Express Centennial
This specimen was lot 124 in Stack's Bowers sale of June 2011, where it sold for $172.50. The catalog description commented, "1960 Pony Express Centennial. Mumey Dollar. HK-584. Rarity-5. Silver. MS-64 (NGC). Antiqued silver-gray surfaces, as issued, with light to moderate patination around the reverse border and devices."
HK-780: 1896 Bryan Dollar
This specimen was lot 117 in Stack's Bowers sale of June 2020, where it sold for $660. The catalog description commented, "1896 Bryan Dollar. Silver. 52 mm. HK-780, Schornstein-6. Rarity-5. Mint State. Both sides exhibit a base of lighter silver-gray toning and are splashed with iridescent russet, powder blue and antique gold patina that is more prevalent on the obverse. Semi-prooflike reflectivity in the obverse field and smartly impressed design elements enhance the appeal of this attractive piece."
HK-781: 1896 Bryan Dollar
This specimen was lot 20285 in Stack's Bowers sale of March 2020, where it sold for $432. The catalog description commented, "1896 Bryan Dollar. Silver. 52 mm. HK-781, Schornstein-7. Rarity-5. About Uncirculated."
HK-852: 1876 Centennial Exposition (Continental Dollar)
Jeff Shevlin, on so-calleddollar.com, comments, "Prominent numismatist Professor Montroville Dickeson, publisher of the American Numismatic Manual of 1859, had dies made and struck copies of the Continental Dollar as souvenirs for the 1876 Centennial Exposition. The Dickeson dies later fell into the hands of a number of prominent numismatists including Thomas Elder, Q. David Bowers and Robert Bashlow who used the Dickeson dies to restrike medals. Dickeson’s are original strikings, Elder, Bowers and Bashlow are the restrikes using the Dickeson dies."
HK-903: 1919 World War One Victory Medal
This specimen was lot 297 in Stack's Bowers sale of March 2020, where it sold for $528. The catalog description commented, "1919 World War One Victory Medal. Saviours of Liberty. Bronze. 44 mm. HK-903. Rarity-6. MS-64 (NGC). A richly original example bathed in warm antique copper brown patina. Struck to commemorate the Allied victory in World War One, which officially ended with the surrender of the German Empire on November 11, 1918, in a railroad car at the French town of Compiegne. Provenance: From the Richard Jewell Collection."
HK-908: 1922 Ku Klux Klan
This specimen was lot 21477 in Stack's Bowers sale of July 2014, where it did not sell. The catalog description commented, "1922 So-Called Dollars. HK-908. EF-45 Details--Cleaned (ANACS)."
