1898 White Metal So-Called Dollar HK-280, Battle of Manila Bay

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,438 Hourigan 02-24-2003 Goldberg Auctioneers

Description

Cataloged as HK-280, this 1898 so-called dollar honors Battle of Manila Bay. The Pan-American Exposition's use of electric lighting, powered by alternating current from Niagara Falls, made it the most brilliantly illuminated event the world had seen, earning it the nickname 'The Rainbow City.' Cast or struck in white metal, this piece exhibits the silvery-white appearance characteristic of tin-based alloys. The softness of white metal makes high-grade examples surprisingly scarce despite generous original mintages. Trans-Mississippi and Pan-American medals were struck by both official exposition mints and private concessionaires. The McKinley assassination generated additional memorial medal production. The HK numbering system established by Hibler and Kappen in 1963 brought order to hundreds of previously uncataloged American commemorative medals, many of which had been ignored by mainstream numismatic references.

Rarity Notes

HK-280 is moderately scarce in the numismatic market. Production quantities for Gilded Age commemorative medals were typically modest, and survival rates vary significantly based on the original distribution method and the material's durability.

Cross References

HK-280; PCGS #642649; NGC #850490