1892 Aluminum So-Called Dollar HK-629, Pittsburgh Exposition

Coin Details

Auction Record

$758 MS66 04-10-2023 eBay

Description

The 1892 Pittsburgh Exposition so-called dollar (HK-629) is a local commemorative piece in Pennsylvania. Local fairs and expositions generated commemorative medals that document regional economic and agricultural achievement, from state fairs showcasing agricultural prowess to industrial expositions celebrating manufacturing development. The aluminum composition represents a modern departure from the traditional bronze, copper, and white metal palette of earlier so-called dollars. Aluminum's silvery-white appearance and durability made it practical for mass production. As a major American badge and medal manufacturer, Whitehead-Hoag combined industrial-scale production with competent artistic design, making commemorative pieces accessible to a broad range of organizations and events. From Philadelphia's founding by William Penn in 1682 to Pittsburgh's industrial revolution, Pennsylvania communities have marked their historical milestones with commemorative medals that document the Commonwealth's central role in American history. Collectors of so-called dollars pursue pieces by exposition, metal type, engraver, geographic region, or historical theme, with complete sets of certain exposition groups being particularly prized accomplishments. Local commemorative medals from before 1900 reflect an era when American communities were actively shaping their civic identities, with medal production serving as both celebration and assertion of permanence.

Rarity Notes

Examples of HK-629 are moderately scarce. Distribution was usually limited to event attendees and local residents, with surviving pieces ranging from well-worn pocket pieces to carefully preserved specimens.

Cross References

HK-629; PCGS #643109