1951 So-Called Dollar HK-742a, Virtue Brothers Mfg

Coin Details

Description

Designated HK-742A in the Hibler-Kappen catalog, this 1951 piece commemorates Virtue Brothers Mfg in California. Commemorative medals honoring individuals have been part of American medallic tradition since the nation's founding, with subjects ranging from presidents and military heroes to local civic leaders and cultural figures. Struck in bronze, this piece showcases the detailed die work typical of American commemorative medals. Bronze's natural patina gives aged examples an appealing warm-brown surface that collectors prize. In 1930, MACO's owner Clyde Curlee Trees co-founded the Society of Medalists, launching the longest-running art medal series in American history with 129 issues through 1995 by sculptors including Laura Gardin Fraser and Paul Manship. Golden State communities marked their milestones with commemorative medals that reflect California's unique blend of Spanish colonial heritage, Gold Rush entrepreneurship, and modern technological innovation. Harold Hibler and Charles Kappen spent decades cataloging American dollar-sized medals, creating a reference work that transformed a scattered collecting field into an organized numismatic specialty. The postwar boom of 1950-1976 was the golden age of local commemorative medal production, with the Heraldic Art Company and other manufacturers producing hundreds of pieces for community celebrations across America. This piece is a variant of HK-742, distinguished by differences in composition, die state, or striking characteristics.

Rarity Notes

HK-742A is scarce among so-called dollar collectors. Local commemorative medals from the mid-20th century were typically produced in limited quantities for distribution at the celebration event.

Cross References

HK-742A; PCGS #643406