1901 Lesher Dollar - HK-1019, W.F. White Mercantile

Coin Details

Description

The 1901 Lesher Dollar HK-1019, stamped for W.F. White Mercantile Co. of Grand Junction, Colorado, bears the imprint "W. F. WHITE MERC. CO. / GRAND JCT., COLO." White operated a clothing and mercantile business in Grand Junction, located on Colorado's Western Slope approximately 250 miles west of Victor — the most geographically distant Colorado merchant in Lesher's distribution network. Grand Junction's location in the Grand Valley, far from the Pikes Peak mining district, demonstrates the broad geographic reach Lesher achieved within Colorado. While the Cripple Creek district was the epicenter of the free silver movement in Colorado, the Western Slope had its own mining heritage and populist political sympathies that would have made residents receptive to a privately issued silver currency challenging the federal gold standard. With approximately 50 pieces estimated stamped, the White Mercantile variety is rated R-7 to R-8. An "a" variant (HK-1019a) without serial numbers is also known, adding further complexity to this already scarce variety. The White pieces, along with the Alexander pieces from Salida and the Klein pieces from Pueblo, document the geographic corridor of Lesher's Colorado distribution — from the mining camps of the Cripple Creek district, through the Arkansas Valley and the state capital, to the Western Slope.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Approximately 50 stamped. Rare — the most geographically distant Colorado merchant from Victor.

Cross References

HK-1019; Zerbe-14 (Z-14); PCGS #19017