1901 Lesher Dollar - HK-795, George Mullen

Coin Details

Description

The 1901 Lesher Dollar HK-795, stamped for George Mullen of Victor, Colorado, bears the imprint "GEO. MULLEN / VICTOR, COLO." Mullen was a shoemaker in Victor, making him one of the more modest local tradesmen to participate in Lesher's Referendum Dollar distribution program. His involvement demonstrates that the silver pieces appealed to small business owners across different trades, not just to larger retail establishments. Known specimens carry serial numbers in the range of #1502 to #1550, with 22 different numbered examples documented by researchers. This serial number range places the Mullen pieces within the broader 1901 numbering sequence and helps establish the approximate order of merchant allocations during the production period. The estimated stamping of 50-100 pieces for Mullen puts this variety in the middle range of 1901 merchant allocations. The Mullen variety also exists in an extremely rare "a" variant (HK-795a) without serial numbers, rated R-9. The existence of both numbered and unnumbered versions for certain merchants raises questions about the production process — whether unnumbered pieces represent an intentional sub-variety, surplus inventory, or specimens set aside before the numbering step.

Rarity Notes

R-6. Approximately 50-100 stamped, with 22 different numbered examples documented (serial numbers #1502-#1550).

Cross References

HK-795; Zerbe-9 (Z-9); PCGS #19010