1915 HK-424, Bronze Panama Pacific Expo Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$411 NGC Genuine 11-16-2012 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1915 so-called dollar (HK-424) commemorates Panama Pacific Expo. The Tower of Jewels, the exposition's centerpiece at 435 feet tall, was covered with over 100,000 cut glass 'Novagems' that shimmered in the sun and were illuminated by colored searchlights at night. Struck in bronze, this piece combines durability with an attractive warm tone that deepens with age into a rich chocolate-brown patina. Bronze was the preferred composition for many commemorative medals due to its excellent detail retention. 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. Barber's clean, classical engraving style defined the look of official American exposition medals for over three decades of world's fairs. The Hibler-Kappen catalog, first published in 1963 by Harold E. Hibler and Charles V. Kappen, systematically organized American so-called dollars for the first time, assigning HK numbers that remain the standard reference today.

Rarity Notes

Examples of HK-424 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-424; PCGS #643929; NGC #850704