1885 HK-145, Washington Monument Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

The Washington Monument was dedicated on February 21, 1885, and this white metal medal, probably made privately, marks the occasion; it may have been given to guests and officials at the ceremonies or sold to visitors. The obverse is a bust of Washington facing left in very high relief, with his first name at the left and surname at the right. The reverse shows the obelisk in the center, flanked by the date the first stone was laid, July 4, 1848, and the date of dedication, with its height, 555 ft., and weight, 81,200 tons, in small letters, and "Washington Monument" and "Washington D. C." around. Congress chartered the Washington National Monument Association in 1848 to raise the money by public subscription, but after six years work stopped amid controversy and was resumed in 1880 by the Corps of Engineers. HK-145 is white metal, 45 mm, Baker N-322.

Cross References

HK-145; PCGS #642398; NGC #850262