1959 HK-556a, Silver-Plated, Eugene OR Statehood Centennial Dollar

Coin Details

Description

Designated HK-556a in the Hibler-Kappen catalog, this 1959 piece commemorates -Plated Eugene OR Statehood Centennial. 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 silvered finish represents a middle ground between base metal and solid silver compositions. Well-preserved silvered examples with intact plating are scarcer than might be expected, as the thin silver layer is susceptible to wear. 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. This piece is a variant of HK-556, distinguished by differences in composition, die state, or striking characteristics that merit a separate catalog entry in the Hibler-Kappen reference.

Rarity Notes

HK-556a is scarce in the numismatic market. Production quantities for post-war era commemorative medals were typically modest, and survival rates vary significantly based on the original distribution method and the material's durability.

Cross References

HK-556a; PCGS #642942; NGC #851558