1892-1893 Gilt So-Called Dollar HK-221, Liberty Head High Relief

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,080 PR64DMPL 09-20-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1892 Liberty Head High Relief so-called dollar (HK-221) is a commemorative piece from the World's Columbian Exposition series. The Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, at 1,687 by 787 feet, was the largest building in the world at the time, covering over 30 acres under a single roof and housing exhibits from 50 nations. This bronze so-called dollar represents the standard commemorative medal composition of its era. Bronze pieces were often the primary production run, with silver reserved for presentation copies and white metal for budget editions. Both the U.S. Mint and numerous private firms struck Columbian medals. Charles Barber designed official mint issues. The exposition also generated the first U.S. commemorative coins (Columbian half dollar). Barber's clean, classical engraving style defined the look of official American exposition medals for over three decades of world's fairs. The Hibler-Kappen catalog, first published in 1963 by Harold E. Hibler and Charles V. Kappen, systematically organized American so-called dollars for the first time, assigning HK numbers that remain the standard reference today.

Rarity Notes

Strikings of HK-221 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-221; PCGS #642537; NGC #850387