1876 HK-83a, U.S. Centennial Expo Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

The art building of the 1876 Centennial appears on HK-83a under the words "Centennial / Art gallery," with "Philadelphia / In memorial" beneath. Hibler and Kappen record that Memorial Hall, built of granite, glass and iron, was the one permanent building of the fair and later became Philadelphia's museum of art; the medal's wording points to that hall. William H. Key signed the die at the lower left of the building. The reverse is the "Illustrating the growth and prosperity of a free people in a hundred years" die shared with the Main Building medals, dated 1776 and 1876 and carrying Hartell & Letchworth's patent mark. This is the silver striking; copper (HK-83), gilt (HK-83b) and white metal (HK-84) were also made, and a reduced version was molded in gutta-percha (HK-85 and HK-86). Silver, 43 mm.

Cross References

HK-83a; PCGS #642212; NGC #850165