1901 Silver HK-795 Lesher Dollar Geo. Mullen

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as HK-795, this Lesher Referendum Dollar represents one of the most remarkable private monetary experiments in American numismatic history — a Colorado mining man putting his free silver beliefs into tangible metallic form. With an estimated mintage of 100 pieces, this variety is rare. The Lesher Referendum Dollars are cataloged from HK-787 through HK-797 and HK-1016 through HK-1021 in the Hibler-Kappen reference. With approximately 20 varieties including sub-varieties, every Lesher Dollar is genuinely rare. Robert D. Leonard Jr., Ken L. Hallenbeck, and Adna G. Wilde Jr. published the definitive modern study 'Forgotten Colorado Silver: Joseph Lesher's Defiant Coins.' Joseph Lesher died at his home in Victor on July 4, 1918, but his coins endure as prized specimens among so-called dollar specialists and Western Americana enthusiasts. George Mullen, a Victor shoemaker, received approximately 100 Lesher dollars bearing his counterstamp, reflecting the grassroots nature of Lesher's merchant acceptance network in the mining town. The first type, struck from dies cut by Frank Hurd of Denver, consisted of 100 octagonal pieces weighing one troy ounce (480 grains) of .950 fine silver with a face value of $1.25. The scheme attracted support from A.B. Bumstead, a Victor grocer, for whom a second, more elaborate octagonal type was produced featuring a mining scene designed by Herman Otto, a Denver artist, with approximately 700 pieces manufactured. A brief round 'Bank Type' experiment (about 10 die trials) was quickly abandoned, and in 1901 Lesher produced a smaller (32mm), lighter (412.5 grains) octagonal imprint type at $1.00 face value with approximately 800 pieces across nine merchant varieties. The so-called dollar collecting community has grown significantly since the Hibler-Kappen catalog's initial publication, with specialized dealers, dedicated reference works, and an active collector base supporting a market that values historical significance, artistic merit, rarity, and condition. Heritage Auctions, Stack's Bowers, and other major numismatic auction houses regularly feature so-called dollars in their sales.

Rarity Notes

Lesher Referendum Dollars are rare across all varieties, with total mintage estimated at only a few hundred pieces per type. The George Mullen variety is among the more frequently encountered Lesher varieties, though still genuinely rare. These pieces are highly prized by collectors of both so-called dollars and Western Americana.

Cross References

HK-795; PCGS #643511