1939 HK-481, Bronze Golden Gate Expo Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

The official emblem of the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition, a tower and bridge against a setting sun with the fair's name around it and a tiny design-patent number at the bottom edge, fills the obverse of HK-481. Because the fair had no Mint exhibit it had no official dollar-size medal, and Hibler and Kappen note that private makers placed the emblem on many pieces of their own. Here the reverse pictures the fair's island site itself, an airplane at the left and the bridge and setting sun behind, under the name "Treasure Island"; three reverse die varieties are recorded. The island was built for the fair on the Yerba Buena shoals by the W.P.A., and the Navy used it as a base from 1941 until 1996. HK-481 is gilt bronze, 33 mm, and a white metal striking from the same designs is HK-482.

Cross References

HK-481; PCGS #644049; NGC #850795