1904 HK-301, La. Purchase Expo Copper Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$336 MS65BN 09-02-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

This commemorative so-called dollar (HK-301) from 1904 celebrates La. Purchase Expo. The Palace of Electricity at the St. Louis fair demonstrated wireless telegraphy, X-ray technology, and a working telephone exchange, while the fair's food concessions introduced Americans to the ice cream cone and cotton candy. Struck in copper, this piece features the distinctive reddish-brown surface that characterizes American copper medals. Copper's malleability produces sharp strikes with excellent detail reproduction. Official exposition medals were struck alongside the landmark Jefferson and McKinley gold dollars. Private manufacturers produced additional commemorative pieces sold to the 19.7 million fairgoers. Barber's clean, classical engraving style defined the look of official American exposition medals for over three decades of world's fairs. The HK numbering system established by Hibler and Kappen in 1963 brought order to hundreds of previously uncataloged American commemorative medals, many of which had been ignored by mainstream numismatic references.

Rarity Notes

Examples of HK-301 are common to moderately scarce among so-called dollar collectors. Early 20th century commemorative medals survive in varying numbers depending on original mintage and subsequent preservation.

Cross References

HK-301; PCGS #642696; NGC #850520