1915 So-Called Dollar HK-410a, N.Carolina at Pan-Pacific

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,500 MS62 09-24-2018 Kagin's

Description

Cataloged as HK-410a, this 1915 so-called dollar honors N.Carolina at Pan-Pacific. 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. So-called dollars — defined as privately issued medals approximately the size of a silver dollar — encompass one of the most diverse and historically rich collecting fields in American numismatics. This piece is a variant of HK-410, distinguished by differences in composition, die state, or striking characteristics that merit a separate catalog entry in the Hibler-Kappen reference.

Rarity Notes

Strikings of HK-410a 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-410a; PCGS #643889; NGC #850682