1901 Lesher Dollar - HK-1017, Goodspeed & Co.

Coin Details

Description

The 1901 Lesher Dollar HK-1017, stamped for Goodspeed & Co. of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is one of the rarest merchant varieties in the series. The imprint reads "GOODSPEEDS & CO. / 26 PIKES PEAK AVE." — with the merchant name hand-engraved rather than punched, and the serial number separately punched. L.C. Goodspeed operated a jewelry business at 26 Pikes Peak Avenue in Colorado Springs, one of the larger cities in the Pikes Peak region. Colorado Springs held particular significance in the Cripple Creek mining district's political landscape. The city was home to many mine owners and represented the conservative, capital-owning counterpoint to the mining labor communities of Victor and Cripple Creek. Teller County had only recently broken away from El Paso County (which includes Colorado Springs) in 1899, amid fierce labor-versus-capital disputes. Lesher's successful placement of his populist silver currency with a Colorado Springs jeweler thus carried both commercial and political implications. With only approximately 15 pieces believed struck, the Goodspeed variety is rated R-8 or higher, making it among the most elusive merchant types. This is the only Lesher Dollar variety with a confirmed NGC Coin Explorer entry (NGC #851420), providing an additional reference point for this rare issue in the major third-party grading service databases.

Rarity Notes

R-8 or higher. Only approximately 15 pieces believed struck. Very rare — one of the scarcest merchant types with confirmed NGC listing.

Cross References

HK-1017; Zerbe-12 (Z-12); PCGS #19015; NGC #851420