(1869) Bronze So-Called Dollar J-CM-39, HK-12, Pacific Railroad

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,920 MS66BN 06-16-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1869 so-called dollar (HK-12) commemorates Pacific Railroad. Pike's Peak commemorative medals celebrate the 14,115-foot Colorado summit that became a symbol of westward expansion after Zebulon Pike's 1806 expedition and the 1859 gold rush rallying cry 'Pike's Peak or Bust.' Struck in bronze, this piece showcases the detailed die work typical of American commemorative medals. Bronze's natural patina gives aged examples an appealing warm-brown surface that collectors prize. Miscellaneous national commemorative medals were produced by a wide range of manufacturers, from the U.S. Mint to local die-sinkers, covering subjects from presidential inaugurations to infrastructure milestones. 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-12 is common to moderately 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-12; PCGS #595186