1884-1885 So-Called Dollar HK-143, 5 La Mardi Gras Dollar

Coin Details

Description

New Orleans paired its two attractions of 1884-1885 on this gilt piece: the obverse is a souvenir of Mardi Gras, with the seal of the carnival and "The King of the Carnival" in a beaded central circle, ringed by "Souvenir of the Mardigras and Carnival New Orleans." The reverse belongs to the exposition, a world globe at the top over the main building and grounds, "The Worlds Exposition" above, and 1884 and 1885 below. On the ground line, in microscopic letters, are the initials E A K, for the medalist Edward A. Kretschman, and Phila. HK-143 is the gilt striking, 33 mm, and the same pair of dies was used in white metal for HK-143a. The globe reverse also served four other New Orleans designs, among them a pelican, a Liberty Bell and a fire engine.

Cross References

HK-143; PCGS #642387; NGC #850259