1853 HK-6, Crystal Palace-Type 1 Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,320 MS62PL 05-29-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1853 Crystal Palace-Type 1 so-called dollar (HK-6) is a commemorative piece from the Early Commemoratives series. The antebellum period produced some of the earliest American so-called dollars, struck by private die sinkers and the U.S. Mint to mark canal openings, railroad inaugurations, and civic milestones. This bronze so-called dollar represents the standard commemorative medal composition of its era. Bronze pieces were often the primary production run, with silver reserved for presentation copies and white metal for budget editions. Early commemorative medals were produced in small quantities by private die sinkers, with white metal and copper being the most common compositions. Distribution was typically limited to event participants and subscribers. So-called dollars — defined as privately issued medals approximately the size of a silver dollar — encompass one of the most diverse and historically rich collecting fields in American numismatics.

Rarity Notes

HK-6 is scarce in the numismatic market. Production quantities for post-Civil War era commemorative medals were typically modest, and survival rates vary significantly based on the original distribution method and the material's durability.

Cross References

HK-6; PCGS #642010; NGC #850011