1948 HK-497, Cal Gold Cent. Plated Type 1 Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$499 MS65 11-16-2012 Stack's Bowers

Description

HK-497 is a 1948 so-called dollar commemorating Cal Cent. Plated Type 1. San Francisco's 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition occupied Treasure Island, a 400-acre artificial island built from 300,000 tons of boulders and dredged sand, later converted to Naval Station Treasure Island. The gold composition places this among the rarest and most valuable of all so-called dollars. Gold presentation pieces were struck in minimal quantities and represent the pinnacle of the medallic hierarchy. Later exposition medals were produced by a mix of U.S. Mint issues and private manufacturers, with many struck in lower quantities than the great 19th-century fairs. The Century of Progress and New York World's Fair generated the most varieties. 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

Examples of HK-497 are rare to extremely rare among so-called dollar collectors. Post-war era commemorative medals survive in varying numbers depending on original mintage and subsequent preservation.

Cross References

HK-497; PCGS #516274; NGC #850821