1915 So-Called Dollar HK-420, Four Portraits, San Diego

Coin Details

Auction Record

$168 MS62 11-20-2019 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1915 Four Portraits San Diego so-called dollar (HK-420) is a commemorative piece from the Panama-Pacific Exposition series. 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. 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 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.

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-420 are scarce, with surviving pieces ranging from well-worn pocket pieces to carefully preserved specimens.

Cross References

HK-420; PCGS #643923; NGC #852806