1883 Copper So-Called Dollar GW-998 HK-134, Proclamation of Peace

Coin Details

Auction Record

$780 MS62BN 04-01-2019 Kagin's

Description

Cataloged as HK-134, this 1883 so-called dollar honors Proclamation of Peace. 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 copper, this piece features the distinctive reddish-brown surface that characterizes American copper medals. Copper's malleability produces sharp strikes with excellent detail reproduction. 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. 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 Gilded Age were produced in limited quantities for distribution at events or through numismatic channels. Copper examples of HK-134 are common to moderately scarce, with surviving pieces ranging from well-worn pocket pieces to carefully preserved specimens.

Cross References

HK-134; PCGS #642362; NGC #850249