1946 HK-873b, UN Monetary Unity Dollar

Coin Details

Description

This 1946 United Nations Monetary Unity Dollar (HK-873b) is a piece cataloged in the monetary section of the Hibler-Kappen so-called dollar reference. The HK-873 series was produced in twelve lettered variants (a through l), each representing different compositions or die states. The concept of a unified world currency was discussed seriously in some postwar circles, though it was never adopted. These pieces document an ambitious vision of international monetary unity, making them both numismatic collectibles and historical artifacts of postwar idealism. So-called dollars acquired their name because they are not true dollar coins but rather privately issued medals that approximate the size and weight of U.S. silver dollars. The collecting specialty emerged in the early 20th century and was formalized by the Hibler-Kappen catalog, which organized hundreds of diverse pieces — from exposition medals to political tokens to private monetary experiments — into a coherent collecting framework.

Rarity Notes

UN Monetary Unity Dollars are scarce across all twelve variants (HK-873a through HK-873l). The "b" variant may differ in availability from other letters in the series. These pieces attract interest from collectors of both so-called dollars and United Nations-related numismatic material.

Cross References

HK-873b; PCGS #643659