View All World's Columbian Exposition (1892-1893)

1892-1893 So-Called Dollar HK-159, New Metal Dollar

Strike Type

Coin Details

Year

1892

Denomination

So-Called Dollars

Strike Type

Regular Strike

Series

National Commemorative & Expo So-Called Dollars

Composition

N/A

Diameter

35mm

Auction Record

Price realized: $240
Sold: 26 April 2022
Grade: MS65
Auction house: Stack's Bowers

Description

"This Medal is Made of the Wonderful Metal," the reverse announces, around an open wreath that encloses the word "Aluminum" and five qualities claimed for it, from "Untarnishable" and "Malleable" to "Tasteless," "Odorless" and "Ductile." On the obverse Columbus is shown turned slightly to the right, with "Christopher" at upper left, "Columbus" at upper right and "1492 1892" beneath a line under the bust, all inside a beaded border. Hibler and Kappen group it with several aluminum pieces of the Chicago fair that sell the new metal as much as they honor the explorer. The exposition was dedicated on October 21, 1892, a date chosen to correspond to October 12, 1492. HK-159 is aluminum, 35 mm, Eglit 217; its close relatives are HK-159a, with a different portrait and legend, and HK-160.