So-Called Dollars

New Discoveries

Surely nobody would defend the listings in the original First Edition as comprehensive. It is now clear that there are hundreds or even thousands of medals that would qualify for listing, even under the most restrictive interpretations for inclusion. Continuing past the original 1960 publication date to the present, that number might pass 10,000 qualifying medals.

Regrettably, the current editors do not have the time, resources, or arguably the experience to produce a comprehensive reference that includes every medal that rightfully could be called a So-Called Dollar. We are faced with a choice between two unpleasant options: Do nothing, or do what we can.

We have chosen to do what we can.

Accordingly, we are accepting new listings only for pieces that are VERY closely related to listings that already exist. New compositional variants of existing medals will usually be listed. Two-sided (preferably) and one-sided (occasionally) mules with existing dies will sometimes be listed. Beyond that... we are not accepting much else as new listings in this reference work.

In fact, in some cases we don't follow even those restrictive criteria. In the World's Columbian Exposition series, HK-154 through HK-243b, there are at least as many new medals that would qualify for listing as there are medals that are already listed, including dozens of mules with existing dies. Much as we would like to include additional pieces, the numbering system simply does not have the flexibility to handle that many new additions.

If you think that this decision is totally capricious... you'd be right. We can't argue that. On the other hand, we can't come up with anything better, either. (If you have a few months -- or better, a few years -- to volunteer towards making a better situation, we'd certainly love to hear from you!)

So, without saying anything negative about the many medals that are not on this list, here is a summary of the limited additions that we have made since the publication of the printed Second Edition:


Erie Canal Completion, large shield reverse, in silver
HK-1000a. Silver.
Previously listed only with a small shield on the reverse, in silver.

Bombardment of Fort Sumter, in silver
HK-11f. Silver.
Previously listed in white metal, brass,and copper.

Pilgrim Jubilee, in silver and white metal
HK-13a. Silver.
HK-13b. White Metal.

Previously listed in silver-plated, copper, and brass.

Liberty Bell-Independence Hall, in gilt.
HK-24a. Gilt.
Previously listed in silver, bronze, copper, and white metal.

Liberty Bell-Washington naked bust, in white metal.
HK-32b. White Metal.
Previously listed in copper.

Independence Hall-Washington military bust, in brass.
HK-40a. Brass.
Previously listed in silver, copper, and white metal.

Centennial fountain / six-pointed star.
HK-68a. Copper, reeded edge. 38mm.
HK-68b. White Metal.

Mule of two listed dies: reverse of HK-62 with reverse of HK-47.

Naked bust Washington / six-pointed star, in white metal.
HK-70e. White Metal.
Previously listed in copper.

Military bust Washington / ornamental scrolls, in silver.
HK-70d. Silver.
Previously listed in white metal and copper.

American Colonies / six-pointed star, in white metal
HK-72d. White Metal.
Previously listed in copper.

Abraham Lincoln Dollar, in bronze
HK-73a. Bronze.
Previously listed in pewter.

Abraham Lincoln Dollar, in silver
HK-73b. Silver.
Previously listed in pewter.

Main building / Horticultural Hall, in copper
HK-89f. Copper.
Previously listed in white metal, brass, and gilt copper.

Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh, in silver
HK-135b. Silver.
Previously listed in bronze, white metal, and copper-plated.

Valley Forge Centennial, in gold and aluminum
HK-136a. Gold.
HK-136b. Aluminum.
Previously listed in silver and bronze.

Upland-Chester Dollar, in silver.
HK-141b. Silver.
Previously listed in white metal and bronze.

World's Industrial & Cotton Centennial Liberty Bell Returned Dollar, in bronze.
HK-144d. Bronze.
Previously listed in white metal.

General Stark-Colonel Warner Dollar, in aluminum.
HK-153a. Aluminum.
Previously listed in white metal and bronze.

World's Columbian Exposition Official Medal, Type I, in silver.
HK-154b Silver.
Previously listed in brass and aluminum.

World's Columbian Exposition Official Medal, Type II, in copper.
HK-155a. Copper. Proof.
Previously listed in brass.

Worlds Columbian Exposition Horticultural Building / Forestry and Transportation Building.
HK-181b. Brass, plain edge.
Previously listed in aluminum.

Worlds Columbian Exposition U. S. Government Building, in silver-plated brass.
HK-182a. Silver-plated brass.
Previously listed in brass and aluminum.

Worlds Columbian Exposition Machinery Hall / Woman's Building.
HK-192a. Brass, plain edge.
Previously listed in aluminum.

Worlds Columbian Exposition Three Edifices / Santa Maria, in copper and brass.
HK-204a. Copper.
HK-204b. Brass.

Previously listed in aluminum.

Worlds Columbian Exposition Kentucky Dollar, in aluminum.
HK-212b. Aluminum.
Previously listed in copper and silver.

World's Columbian Exposition Liberty Head Dollar, in gilt low relief and white metal.
HK-221a. Gilt. Low relief.
HK-222b. White Metal.
Previously listed in bronze, gilt, and aluminum high relief, plus bonze and aluminum low relief.

World's Columbian Exposition Saint Gaudens Dollar, in aluminum.
HK-223a. Aluminum.
Previously listed in copper.

World's Columbian Exposition Columbus Bust Dollar, in white metal.
HK-232a. White Metal.
Previously listed in aluminum.

World's Columbian Exposition Lord's Prayer Dollar, in bronze.
HK-233b. Bronze.
Previously listed in white metal and gilt white metal.

World's Columbian Exposition Female Figure (Columbia?) Landing Scene Dollar, in white metal.
HK-240b. White Metal.
Previously listed in aluminum and bronze.

California Midwinter Exposition De Young Dollar, in gilt white metal.
HK-248a. Gilt White Metal.
Previously listed in white metal.

California Midwinter Exposition Exposition View--Golden Gate Dollar, in gilt.
HK-250a. Gilt.
Previously listed in silver.

California Midwinter Exposition Exposition View--Administration Building / Bear on Crag mule.
HK-259a. Bronze.
Mule of two listed dies: obverse of HK-258 with obverse of HK-259.

Cotton States and International Exposition Woman's Building Dollar, in brass.
HK-271a. Brass.
Previously listed in aluminum.

Fitzsimmons-Maher Boxing Bout, in aluminum.
HK-273a. Aluminum.
Previously listed in copper and brass.

Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition Additional Medal, in silver.
HK-284b. Silver.
Previously listed in bronze and white metal.

Wells Fargo & Company Semicentennial, in gold.
HK-296a. Gold.
Previously listed in silver.

New York Stock Exchange, in gold.
HK-297a. Gold.
Previously listed in silver and bronze.

Louisiana Purchase Exposition Good-Luck Dollar, in silver and gold.
HK-311a. Silver.
HK-311b. Gold.

Previously listed in brass and aluminum.

Louisiana Purchase Exposition Palace of Electricity / Temple of Fraternity, in brass.
HK-319a. Brass, reeded edge.
Previously listed in aluminum.

Louisiana Purchase Exposition Palace of Machinery / Palace of Mines and Metallurgy, in brass.
HK-320a. Brass, reeded edge.
Previously listed in aluminum.

Louisiana Purchase Exposition Palace of Varied Industries / Palace of Transportation, Palace of Art, in brass.
HK-321a. Brass, reeded edge.
Previously listed in aluminum.

Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition U. S. Government Building, in aluminum.
HK-331b. Aluminum. Same as No. 331.
Previously listed in bronze and gilt bronze.

San Francisco Earthquake Type I, in bronze.
HK-342a. Bronze.
Previously listed in silver, silver-plated, brass, and aluminum.

Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition Official Medal, abbreviated legend.
HK-356a. Bronze.
Clearly similar to HK-353 through HK-356, but with slight design differences.

Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition U. S. Government Building Dollar.
HK-364a. Brass. 33mm.
Mule of two listed dies: reverse of HK-353 and reverse of HK-364. Clarifies ambigous description of unpictured HK-364 in First Edition: both obverse and reverse of HK-353 were independently muled with U. S. Government Building reverse.

Portola Festival Dollar, in brass and silver-plated bronze.
HK-389a. Brass.
HK-389b. Silver-plated Bronze.
Previously listed in bronze.

West Gate--Canal Completion Dollar, in gilt.
HK-432b. Gilt.
Previously listed in bronze and copper.

McCormick Reaper Centennial, in nickel-silver.
HK-460a. Nickel-silver.
Previously listed in bronze.

Century of Progress Michigan Dollar, in german silver.
HK-473c. German-silver.
Previously listed in reddish gilt, aluminum, and Dow Metal.

Charbneau Dollars in several different die varieties.
HK-488a Gold, dated 1939, 1 D 10K Solid Gold.
HK-488b Gold, dated 1939, 1 * 10K Solid Gold.
HK-488c Gold, dated 19399, 1 * 10K Solid Gold, incuse 22K punched over 10K.
HK-488d Gold, dated 1939, 1 D 10K Solid Gold, incuse 40 above l. of bridge.
HK-488e Gold, dated 1939, 1 D Solid Gold, incuse 10K, incuse 40 above l. of bridge4.
HK-488f Gold, dated 1939, 1 * 10K Solid Gold, incuse 40 above l. of bridge5.
HK-489a Gold, 1 * 10K Solid Gold, incuse 40 above l. of bridge2.
HK-1033a Copper.

Previously listed divided by date and composition, but not by die varieties.

Minnesota Statehood Centennial Winona County Dollar.
HK-525a. Gilt Bronze. 33mm.
Mule of listed obverse with new reverse, continuing theme of local anniversaries.

Minnesota Statehood Centennial Fairmont Dollar.
HK-525b. Gilt Bronze. 33mm.
Mule of listed obverse with new reverse, continuing theme of local anniversaries.

Oregon Beaver Dollar, silver plated.
HK-573a. Silver-plated.
Previously listed in oreide.

Phillipsbug Columbian Celebration, in aluminum.
HK-628a. Aluminum.
Previously listed in bronze and white metal.

Dayton Centennial, in white metal.
HK-636a. White Metal.
Previously listed in bronze.

Peace Jubilee Dollar.
HK-643a. White Metal. 35mm.
HK-643b. Bronze.
Large size dollar for celebration previously recognized by small sized dollar only.

Detroit Bicentennial, in bronze.
HK-645a. Bronze.
Previously listed in white metal.

San Antonio Bicentennial, in gold.
HK-679c. Gold.
Previously listed in bronze, silver, and brass.

Mackinac Bridge Dollar, in nickel-silver.
HK-709a. Nickel-silver.
Previously listed in gilt.

North American Aviation, Type I Dollar, in copper.
HK-743a. Copper.
Previously listed in aluminum.

Ada Rehan, in white metal.
HK-767a. White Metal.
Previously listed in aluminum.

United Nations Pledge Medal, without arrow on reverse, in copper-nickel.
HK-915b. Copper-nickel.
Previously listed in gilt and aluminum.