1872 Gilt Bronze So-Called Dollar HK-729, Truckee Ice Carnival

Coin Details

Auction Record

$676 MS61 06-29-2012 Stack's Bowers

Description

The (c.1890s) Truckee Ice Carnival so-called dollar (HK-729) is a local commemorative piece in California. Local fairs and expositions generated commemorative medals that document regional economic and agricultural achievement, from state fairs showcasing agricultural prowess to industrial expositions celebrating manufacturing development. This gilt so-called dollar features a gold wash over a base metal core, combining the visual appeal of gold with affordability. Gilt examples were typically produced in smaller quantities than plain bronze or copper versions. American commemorative medal manufacturers ranged from the U.S. Mint to small regional die-sinkers, with each firm bringing distinctive artistic approaches and production capabilities to the medallic arts. California's dramatic history — from the Gold Rush through the San Francisco earthquake to its emergence as America's most populous state — generated commemorative medals documenting the rapid transformation of the Pacific Coast. The Hibler-Kappen catalog has been updated and expanded since its 1963 first edition, with later researchers adding newly discovered varieties and extending coverage into the modern era. Pre-1900 local commemorative medals are among the most historically significant in the so-called dollar series, documenting the celebrations of communities still within living memory of their founding or early settlement periods.

Rarity Notes

HK-729 is scarce among so-called dollar collectors. Local commemorative medals from the Gilded Age were typically produced in limited quantities for distribution at the celebration event.

Cross References

HK-729; PCGS #643361