1876 HK-20, US Centennial Expo Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

HK-20 is the silver striking of the official medal of the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, the fair held in Fairmount Park from May 10 to November 10, 1876, for the hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. William Barber engraved the dies, and the Centennial Board of Finance issued the medal under an act of Congress, which the reverse legend states outright: "By authority of the Congress of the United States." The obverse shows a female figure for American independence lifting herself up, a sword in one hand and the other raised toward thirteen stars, with 1776 beneath. Hibler and Kappen record that the silver pieces were struck at the Mint's own exhibit on the fairgrounds, while the bronze (HK-21) and gilt (HK-22) pieces came from the Philadelphia Mint. This piece is silver, 38 mm.

Cross References

HK-20; PCGS #642054; NGC #850050