1900 Lesher Dollar - HK-790, Bank Type

Coin Details

Description

The 1900 Lesher Dollar HK-790, the Bank Type, is among the rarest and most controversial issues in the entire Lesher Dollar series. This variety is distinguished by the bold promise on its lower obverse that reads "at Any Bank" with a "Bullion Value" notation, indicating that the piece could be redeemed for cash at any bank — a far more aggressive claim than the standard merchant-based redemption system used on other Lesher issues. This ambitious promise of universal bank redemption have drawn the attention of federal authorities. The U.S. Secret Service eventually viewed Lesher's enterprise as an infringement on the government's coinage monopoly, and agents confiscated his dies, ending production after just two years. While accounts differ on exactly which dies triggered the seizure, the Bank Type's broad redemption promise — essentially creating a parallel silver currency redeemable at any financial institution — represented the greatest challenge to federal monetary authority among all Lesher varieties. Only approximately six to ten Bank Type pieces were struck, making this effectively a die trial or limited test issue that was never fully distributed. The American Numismatic Society may hold the only surviving obverse die. With approximately eight documented examples, the Bank Type is among the most elusive Lesher Dollar varieties, rivaled in rarity only by the unique merchant types discovered in later years.

Rarity Notes

R-8 or higher. Only approximately 6-10 struck, with about 8 documented survivors. Essentially a die trial issue that was never fully distributed.

Cross References

HK-790; Zerbe-4 (Z-4); PCGS #19003