1959 HK-558, Silver-Plated, Wagon Train OR Statehood Centennial Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$75 MS65 06-10-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

Designated HK-558 in the Hibler-Kappen catalog, this 1959 piece commemorates -Plated Wagon Train OR Statehood 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. This silvered so-called dollar features a silver coating over a base metal core, giving it the appearance of a solid silver piece at a fraction of the cost. The silvering process could involve electroplating, chemical deposition, or dipping. 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. 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.

Rarity Notes

HK-558 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-558; PCGS #642944; NGC #850897