1876 Silver So-Called Dollar GW-888, HK-102, Lake Champlain

Coin Details

Auction Record

$3,360 MS65 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

Cataloged as HK-102, this 1876 so-called dollar honors Lake Champlain. The Women's Pavilion was the first building at any international exposition funded, designed, managed, and filled entirely by women, showcasing female inventors, artists, and entrepreneurs from across the nation. As a silver so-called dollar, this piece occupies the top tier of its series in terms of both metallic value and collector desirability. Silver strikings generally survive in lower numbers due to their limited original production. The U.S. Mint struck official Centennial medals designed by William Barber, while private firms produced hundreds of additional varieties. The Centennial group is the largest in the HK catalog. George Morgan, famous for his Liberty Head silver dollar design, also contributed to exposition medal production during his long tenure at the U.S. Mint. Collectors of so-called dollars pursue pieces by exposition, metal type, engraver, geographic region, or historical theme, with complete sets of certain exposition groups being particularly prized accomplishments.

Rarity Notes

HK-102 is scarce to rare 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-102; PCGS #642254; NGC #850194