1884-1885 So-Called Dollar HK-143c, 5 La Liberty Bell Dollar

Coin Details

Description

The 1884 5 La Liberty Bell so-called dollar (HK-143c) is a commemorative piece from the State & Regional Commemoratives series. The Ohio Valley centennial medals of 1888 document the settlement of the Northwest Territory, commemorating the arrival of the first organized American settlers at Marietta, Ohio in April 1788. Bronze examples of so-called dollars offer collectors an excellent balance of affordability, condition, and aesthetic appeal. The alloy's hardness produces sharp strikes with fine detail that survives handling better than softer metals. State and regional medals were typically commissioned by local committees and struck by private manufacturers. Silver and white metal compositions predominate. 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-143, distinguished by differences in composition, die state, or striking characteristics that merit a separate catalog entry in the Hibler-Kappen reference.

Rarity Notes

Strikings of HK-143c are scarce. Gilded Age medals were often distributed at events, with many entering circulation as pocket pieces rather than being preserved as collectibles.

Cross References

HK-143c; PCGS #642390; NGC #851912