So Called Dollars and Their Hidden Gems

So called dollars, also known as alternative currencies, have been around for centuries. They're not recognized by governments, but people still use them for various purposes.

One of the most interesting aspects of so called dollars is their unique characteristics, such as being backed by commodities or being tied to specific industries. This makes them stand out from traditional currencies.

These alternative currencies often have a smaller user base, but they can still offer benefits like increased security and reduced transaction fees.

So-called dollars are a subset of medal collecting that originated in the 1950s. Richard Kenney first attempted a catalog of medals around that time.

Medals of this size have been popular worldwide for a long time, especially due to their association with crown-sized silver coins. They provide ample space for artistic designs.

The term "so-called dollars" was likely first used by Thomas Elder around the turn of the century.

So-called dollars are widely collected by subject matter following the HK catalog number sequence.

You can find the value of your so-called dollars on WorthPoint, the largest resource online for identifying, researching and valuing antiques, which has over 425 million "sold for" prices with item details and images.

So-called dollars can be obtained at a reasonable cost, making them an excellent entry into exonumia collecting in general.

The "So-Called Dollar Collectors Pocket Price Guide" provides values for so-called dollars and is published annually to provide collectors and dealers with valuable pricing information.

Values for so-called dollars fluctuate just like U.S. coins, and the Pocket Price Guide is a valuable resource for collectors and dealers.

The Pocket Price Guide is $19.95, and shipping is $4.50.

You can find specific values for so-called dollars in the Pocket Price Guide, such as the 1894 Souvenir California Midwinter Exposition Medal So Called Dollar HK-245a, which has a value listed in the guide.

Some so-called dollars, like the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition So Called Dollar Columbus/5 Buildings HK-236a, are extremely rare and highly valuable.

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Marks on so-called dollars can be a great aid in dating specimens, and many makers include their company's full name and even street addresses.

Some makers use tiny letters along the bottom rim, while others may use decorative monograms or company symbols instead.

Larger pieces are sometimes marked on the edge, making them easier to identify.

The 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition Omaha, NE, medal is a great example of a so-called dollar with a distinctive mark, featuring the initials "NE HK-283".

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Marks can be found on the bottom rim of many exonumia pieces, often in tiny letters that may be hard to read without magnification.

Some makers use initials, while others include their full company name and even street addresses, which can be super helpful for dating specimens.

A variety of marks can be found, with some makers using decorative monograms or company symbols instead of traditional text.

These marks can be located anywhere in the design, not just on the rim.

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Medals can be a fascinating collectible item. You can find medals made from various metals, such as brass and bronze, like the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition Omaha, NE medal which is made from brass.

Some medals are official, like the Official Medal struck in Mint Exhibit from dies made at Philadelphia Mint. This medal is thought to be scarce in all metals today.

Medals can also be related to historical events, such as the 1948 California Gold Discovery Centennial. This bronze gold-plated medal features the California State Seal and a prospector celebrating the Centennial of the Gold Rush.

You can collect medals in various ways, and it's up to you to decide what you want to focus on.

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Hidden gems can be found in the most unexpected places, and the world of so-called dollars is no exception. So-Called Dollars from the Pacific Coast Expositions is a publication that showcases medals from eight expositions held on the Pacific Coast.

The 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition is one of the expositions featured in the book. You can even view the chapter online for free. The book's captivating narrative and color pictures will transport you to the past and make you feel like you're right there at the exposition.

The book also includes medals from the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, which is notable for its original dies engraved by George Morgan. If you're interested in collecting medals from this exposition, you can even get a collector's leather-bound edition that includes a medal encased in the cover.

For more insights, see: Morgan Dollar Book

So-Called Dollars are technically medals, but they're collected like coins and represent a fascinating area of U.S. numismatics.

These medals are incredibly rewarding to collect due to their range and diversity of designs, themes, and historical significance.

Some So-Called Dollars are relatively easy to find, but others are significantly tougher to come by.

A collection of So-Called Dollars can include some of the finest examples available, making them a valuable addition to any numismatic collection.

The So-Called Dollars from the United States Expositions are a fascinating collection of historical U.S. medals.

Jeff Shevlin & Bill Hyder's book "So-Called Dollars Volume I – United States Expositions" catalogs So-Called Dollars from 67 different expositions held in the U.S. The book includes detailed information never published before.

The book covers expositions from 1853 to 1964, with a focus on the New York Crystal Palace and the 1964 New York World's Fair. Kenneth Bressett praises the book for its thorough research and dedication to completeness, making it a valuable resource for collectors.

A hardbound edition of the book is available for $59.95, while a signed and numbered collector's gold-foil-bound edition with an Official Medal struck by the United States Mint for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair is available for $149.95.

Shipping costs $4.50 per book.

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Jules Charbneau's design for his souvenir gold dollars was inspired by the Golden Gate International Exposition.

The Golden Gate International Exposition took place in a specific time period, but the article doesn't mention the exact dates.

Shevlin and his co-author, William D. Hyder, examine the history, art, and architecture of the Golden Gate International Exposition that inspired Jules Charbneau’s design.

The Charbneau dollar is a highly collectible numismatic item, and medal specialist D. Wayne Johnson calls it a "delightful story about the artist, the event, and the highly collectible little numismatic items."

There are thirteen known varieties of the Charbneau dollar, each personally examined and verified by the senior author.

Each variety is illustrated with exceptionally detailed photographs produced by numismatic photographer, Todd Pollack, which allows the reader to fully appreciate the elegance of the design and the artistry of the engraver.

The photographs are enlarged 14 times the 12mm diameter of the actual medals, making them a valuable resource for collectors.

The Charbneau dollar is part of a tradition of small gold exposition souvenirs struck for Farran Zerbe and others in the early 1900s.

Although they could not be legally called coins, they were marketed as if they were coins, making them a unique and interesting collectible item.

Additional reading: International Dollars

"Discover the World of Charbneau So-Called Dollars" won awards at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money as the Best Book of the Year on medals and tokens.

The book is available in two editions, a hardbound full-color edition for $34.95 and a deluxe collector's leather-bound edition limited to 75 copies for $95.

Shipping is $4.50, making it easy to add the book to your collection.