1892-1893 So-Called Dollar HK-163, 93) Il Expo View - Dollar

Coin Details

Description

This 1892 so-called dollar (HK-163) commemorates 93) Il Expo View -. 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. 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.

Rarity Notes

Strikings of HK-163 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-163; PCGS #642435; NGC #850289