1950 HK-508, Wash. D.C. Sesqui Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$80 MS65 04-26-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Designated HK-508 in the Hibler-Kappen catalog, this 1950 piece commemorates Wash. D.C. Sesqui. 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. This bronze so-called dollar represents the standard commemorative medal composition of its era. Bronze pieces were often the primary production run, with silver reserved for presentation copies and white metal for budget editions. 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

Strikings of HK-508 are scarce. Post-war era medals were often distributed at events, with many entering circulation as pocket pieces rather than being preserved as collectibles.

Cross References

HK-508; PCGS #516275; NGC #852371