1895 Gilt So-Called Dollar HK-268, Bronze, Official Dollar Cotton States Expo

Coin Details

Auction Record

$127 MS-61 02-13-2008 Goldberg Auctioneers

Description

Cataloged as HK-268, this 1895 so-called dollar honors Official Cotton States Expo. The centennial movement of the 1870s-1890s produced medals for the 100th anniversaries of Revolutionary War battles from Lexington and Concord (1875) through Yorktown (1881) and the Constitution's ratification (1887-1890). Struck in bronze, this piece combines durability with an attractive warm tone that deepens with age into a rich chocolate-brown patina. Bronze was the preferred composition for many commemorative medals due to its excellent detail retention. Revolutionary War centennial medals were produced both by the U.S. Mint (official congressional issues) and private die sinkers. Many were distributed at ceremony sites to attendees and dignitaries. 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

Bronze strikings of HK-268 are common to moderately 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-268; PCGS #642623; NGC #850476