1915 So-Called Dollar HK-409b, Montana Exposition Fund

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as HK-409b, this 1915 so-called dollar honors Montana Exposition Fund. 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. The HK numbering system established by Hibler and Kappen in 1963 brought order to hundreds of previously uncataloged American commemorative medals, many of which had been ignored by mainstream numismatic references. This piece is a variant of HK-409, distinguished by differences in composition, die state, or striking characteristics that merit a separate catalog entry in the Hibler-Kappen reference.

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-409b are scarce, with surviving pieces ranging from well-worn pocket pieces to carefully preserved specimens.

Cross References

HK-409b; PCGS #643885; NGC #851760