1875 Proof HK-18, Battle of Lexington Centennial Dollar

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as HK-18, this 1875 so-called dollar honors Battle of Lexington Centennial. The 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle celebrated the development of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, featuring Olmsted Brothers landscape design on the University of Washington campus. The bronze composition of this piece reflects the medallic tradition dating to classical antiquity. Bronze so-called dollars typically survive in better condition than white metal examples due to the alloy's greater hardness and durability. 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. Harold Hibler and Charles Kappen spent decades cataloging American dollar-sized medals, creating a reference work that transformed a scattered collecting field into an organized numismatic specialty.

Rarity Notes

HK-18 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-18; PCGS #642049; NGC #850042