1878 So-Called Dollar HK-120d, Wyoming Battle & Massacre

Coin Details

Description

HK-120d is a 1878 so-called dollar commemorating Wyoming Battle & Massacre. Communities along the eastern seaboard competed to honor their Revolutionary War heritage, with towns like Bennington, Saratoga, Brandywine, and Valley Forge striking commemorative medals for centennial ceremonies. Struck in bronze, this piece combines durability with an attractive warm tone that deepens with age into a rich chocolate-brown patina. Bronze was the preferred composition for many commemorative medals due to its excellent detail retention. Revolutionary War centennial medals were produced both by the U.S. Mint (official congressional issues) and private die sinkers. Many were distributed at ceremony sites to attendees and dignitaries. So-called dollars — defined as privately issued medals approximately the size of a silver dollar — encompass one of the most diverse and historically rich collecting fields in American numismatics. This piece is a variant of HK-120, distinguished by differences in composition, die state, or striking characteristics that merit a separate catalog entry in the Hibler-Kappen reference.

Rarity Notes

HK-120d 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-120d; PCGS #642311; NGC #851816