ALASKA SOUVENIR GOLD
1897-1911
Coinage of small Alaska gold pieces, including Alaska-Yukon-Pacific, Pinch and Parka series, were made for the M. E. Hart Co., 560 Powell St., San Francisco, CA, which issued them. Earliest sale records predate the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in 1909.
PINCH SERIES, DATED 1897-1901
Obvs: all bear Indian head in feathered headdress, facing to right or to left, with date below; completely surrounded by circle of 5-pointed stars, evenly spaced; 13 stars on some, 16 on others. Different Indian facial expressions have caused some to be labeled "handsome," others "ugly" or "fierce."
Revs: have large One in center with Alaska Gold above and Pinch below--all with wreath, open at top. Letters on some pieces are larger than on others.
There are two thicknesses; normal round type weighs 23 1/2 grains; normal octagonal, 18 grains. Thin specimens of both types, much rarer than thick, weigh 12 grains. All have beaded borders; reeded edge on round pieces, plain on octagonal; all 13mm.
Photos courtesy of Heritage Galleries (HA.com)
Photos shown twice actual size.
HK-838 1897. Gold. Head facing to r.; 16 stars; round.
Photos courtesy of Andy Gunderson
Photos shown twice actual size.
HK-838a 1897. Gold. Head facing to l.; 13 stars; round.
HK-839 1897. Gold. Head facing to l.; 13 stars; octagonal. *
HK-840 1897. Gold. Head facing to l.; 16 stars; octagonal. *
HK-841 1898. Gold. Head facing to r.; 16 stars; round. *
HK-842 1898. Gold. Head facing to r.; 13 stars; round. *
* No examples known. The original listings were likely in error.
Photos courtesy of Heritage Galleries (HA.com)
Photos shown twice actual size.
HK-843 1898. Gold. Head facing to l.; 13 stars; octagonal.
Photos courtesy of Heritage Galleries (HA.com)
Photos shown twice actual size.
HK-844 1898. Gold. Head facing to r.; 16 stars; octagonal.
HK-845 1899. Gold. Head facing to r.; 16 stars; round. *
HK-846 1899. Gold. Head facing to l.; 13 stars; octagonal. *
HK-847 1899. Gold. Head facing to r.; 16 stars; octagonal. *
HK-848 1900. Gold. Head facing to r.; 16 stars; octagonal. *
HK-849 1901. Gold. Head facing to r.; 16 stars; octagonal. *
* No examples known. The original listings were likely in error.
PARKA HEAD SERIES, DATED 1911
Believed to have been dated 1911 to commemorate golden anniversary of earliest discovery of gold in Alaska (1861) by Eskimos. Weight, 16 grains; all 13mm.
Photos courtesy of Heritage Galleries (HA.com)
Photos shown twice actual size.
Obv: Bears bust of Eskimo, in parka hood, facing to right or left; below, 1911; 10 or 11 stars around.
Rev: In center, line representing horizon; above, Sun and rays; below One; top legend, around, Alaska Gold below, wreath. Beaded border.
HK-850 1911. Gold. Head facing to l.; 11 stars; round.
HK-851 1911. Gold. Head facing to r.; 10 stars; round. *
* No examples known. The original listing was likely in error.