1892-1893 So-Called Dollar HK-161a, 93) Il Electric Bld-Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

The Electrical Building is the obverse subject here, captioned below and ringed by "World's Columbian Exposition." Electricity was new enough in 1893 that this fair was the first exposition to light its grounds lavishly with it, and the Westinghouse alternating-current generator had its first showing there. The reverse is shared with HK-161: an incuse "Aluminum" on a decorative ribbon, with the metal's qualities stacked above it and, below, a comparison of weights, "Cubic Foot of Gold, 1204 lbs" against 179 for aluminum, ending "This Medal is Pure." A microscopic Childs, Chicago signature credits the Chicago diesinker S. D. Childs & Co. The same reverse also appears with the Agricultural Building (HK-161b) and the Administration Building (HK-162). HK-161a is aluminum, 37 mm, for the exposition dedicated in 1892 and opened in 1893.

Cross References

HK-161a; PCGS #642431; NGC #850287