(1876) White Metal So-Called Dollar GW-888, HK-104, Lake Champlain

Coin Details

Description

Designated HK-104 in the Hibler-Kappen catalog, this 1876 piece commemorates Lake Champlain. The antebellum period produced some of the earliest American so-called dollars, struck by private die sinkers and the U.S. Mint to mark canal openings, railroad inaugurations, and civic milestones. The white metal composition reflects the practical economics of medal production in this era. Tin-based alloys allowed manufacturers to produce large quantities at low cost while maintaining acceptable detail and appearance. Early commemorative medals were produced in small quantities by private die sinkers, with white metal and copper being the most common compositions. Distribution was typically limited to event participants and subscribers. 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

So-called dollars from the post-Civil War era were produced in limited quantities for distribution at events or through numismatic channels. White Metal examples of HK-104 are moderately scarce, with surviving pieces ranging from well-worn pocket pieces to carefully preserved specimens.

Cross References

HK-104; PCGS #642258; NGC #850196