1948 HK-498, Bronze, CA Gold Discovery Centennial Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$384 MS63 06-23-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

This commemorative so-called dollar (HK-498) from 1948 celebrates CA Discovery Centennial. Philadelphia's 1926 Sesqui-Centennial suffered rain on 107 of its 184 open days, drawing only 6.4 million visitors against a projected 50 million, though it produced an 80-foot replica of the Liberty Bell illuminated by 26,000 light bulbs. 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. 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. Collectors of so-called dollars pursue pieces by exposition, metal type, engraver, geographic region, or historical theme, with complete sets of certain exposition groups being particularly prized accomplishments.

Rarity Notes

So-called dollars from the post-war era were produced in limited quantities for distribution at events or through numismatic channels. Bronze examples of HK-498 are common to moderately scarce, with surviving pieces ranging from well-worn pocket pieces to carefully preserved specimens.

Cross References

HK-498; PCGS #644081; NGC #850822