1915 HK-404a, Pan-Pac Expo Silver-Plated Bronze Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$306 MS62 04-01-2019 Kagin's

Description

HK-404a is a 1915 so-called dollar commemorating Pan-Pac Expo -Plated. The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal and demonstrated the city's remarkable recovery from the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire. This silvered so-called dollar features a silver coating over a base metal core, giving it the appearance of a solid silver piece at a fraction of the cost. The silvering process could involve electroplating, chemical deposition, or dipping. Official exposition medals were struck by the U.S. Mint, and the landmark Panama-Pacific commemorative coin set (including the famous $50 gold pieces) made this the most numismatically significant American exposition. 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. This piece is a variant of HK-404, distinguished by differences in composition, die state, or striking characteristics that merit a separate catalog entry in the Hibler-Kappen reference.

Rarity Notes

Silvered strikings of HK-404a are scarce. Early 20th century medals were often distributed at events, with many entering circulation as pocket pieces rather than being preserved as collectibles.

Cross References

HK-404a; PCGS #643864; NGC #851754