1905 Bronze So-Called Dollar HK-332, RE 38mm Lewis & Clark Centennial Expo

Coin Details

Description

This commemorative so-called dollar (HK-332) from 1905 celebrates RE 38mm Lewis & Clark Centennial Expo. The 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in Portland, Oregon celebrated the famous 1804-1806 expedition with 400 acres of exhibits along the Willamette River, drawing 1.6 million visitors. 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. Harold Hibler and Charles Kappen spent decades cataloging American dollar-sized medals, creating a reference work that transformed a scattered collecting field into an organized numismatic specialty.

Rarity Notes

So-called dollars from the early 20th century were produced in limited quantities for distribution at events or through numismatic channels. Bronze examples of HK-332 are common to moderately scarce, with surviving pieces ranging from well-worn pocket pieces to carefully preserved specimens.

Cross References

HK-332; PCGS #642753; NGC #852009