1897 So-Called Dollar HK-1008, Alaska AYPE

Coin Details

Description

This 1897 monetary so-called dollar (HK-1008) is a piece cataloged in the monetary section of the Hibler-Kappen so-called dollar reference. Exposition monetary so-called dollars were produced for America's major fairs and expositions, where they served as both commemorative souvenirs and demonstration pieces illustrating monetary concepts. The tradition of issuing medallic souvenirs at expositions extends from the earliest American fairs through the great world's fairs of the 20th century. So-called dollars acquired their name because they are not true dollar coins but rather privately issued medals that approximate the size and weight of U.S. silver dollars. The collecting specialty emerged in the early 20th century and was formalized by the Hibler-Kappen catalog, which organized hundreds of diverse pieces — from exposition medals to political tokens to private monetary experiments — into a coherent collecting framework.

Rarity Notes

This 1897 so-called dollar is generally scarce in the numismatic market. Examples are collected by specialists in so-called dollars and American medallic art.

Cross References

HK-1008; PCGS #643769