1904 So-Called Dollar HK-311, 4 Mo Good-Luck Dollar

Coin Details

Description

The 1904 4 Mo Good-Luck so-called dollar (HK-311) is a commemorative piece from the Louisiana Purchase & Lewis and Clark series. The St. Louis fair commemorated the 100th anniversary of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, in which President Jefferson acquired 828,000 square miles of territory from Napoleon's France for approximately $15 million. This bronze so-called dollar represents the standard commemorative medal composition of its era. Bronze pieces were often the primary production run, with silver reserved for presentation copies and white metal for budget editions. 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. George Morgan, famous for his Liberty Head silver dollar design, also contributed to exposition medal production during his long tenure at the U.S. Mint. Collectors of so-called dollars pursue pieces by exposition, metal type, engraver, geographic region, or historical theme, with complete sets of certain exposition groups being particularly prized accomplishments.

Rarity Notes

So-called dollars from the early 20th century were produced in limited quantities for distribution at events or through numismatic channels. Examples of HK-311 are scarce, with surviving pieces ranging from well-worn pocket pieces to carefully preserved specimens.

Cross References

HK-311; PCGS #642713; NGC #850537