1906 HK-340a, Plated T-1 SF Earthquake & Fire Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

The shell of San Francisco's City Hall stands on the reverse of HK-340a, labeled "Ruins of City Hall," with "San Francisco Earthquake & Fire" around the top and "Souvenir" below. The fires that followed the earthquake burned for three days, destroying some 500 city blocks and more than 28,000 buildings; nearly 500 people died and about 2,500 were badly hurt. The obverse of the medal pictures a wrecked stretch of California Street with the date April 18, 1906. HK-340a is the silver-plated version of this Type I souvenir, 36 mm like the solid silver HK-340. No maker or sponsor has been traced for any of the San Francisco earthquake pieces, and the HK account treats them as private souvenirs. Brass (HK-341), aluminum (HK-342) and bronze (HK-342a) strikings complete the Type I listing.

Cross References

HK-340a; PCGS #642767; NGC #850580