Owner Comments:
SO-CALLED DOLLAR APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Gold Plated Variety — From the "Jeff Shevlin Collection" (Noted on Slab as Pedigree)
*Extremely rare and utterly illusive. NGC has graded a total of just 7 specimens; Stunning eye-appeal - Lustrous, brilliant and nearly proof-like — Designed by Charles E. Barber.*
SO-CALLED DOLLAR BACKGROUND:
In addition to the original general program from the Southwest Expedition in Colorado circa 1906, I have obtained all 4 medals/varieties issued (HK-335-338); Silver Proof, Gray Oxidized Silver, Gold Plated & Bronze, as well as the “Imitation Issue” (HK-339). The silver proof is the third rarest and challenging to obtain. However, the key-medals of the series are most certainly the gold-plated variety (HK-337) and the “Imitation Issue” (HK-339). Although extremely challenging to acquire, I was able to obtain an HK-337 specimen in AU-58 (by NGC). Nearly a decade later, I found the HK-339 Imitation Issue. In most collections, both varieties are absent. Subsequently, having the entire series with the original general program in this set exhibits both a historic and rare tribute to the overall Colorado collection.
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Completed “Southwest Expedition: Pike’s Peak Centennial” Collection Listed in this Set are as Follows:
- 1906 Original General Program
- HK-335 (Silver Proof): NGC PF-63 (R6)
- HK-336 (Gray Oxidized Silver): NGC MS-63 (R4)
- HK-337 (Gold Plated): NGC AU-58 (R7)
- HK-338 (Bronze): NGC MS-64 (R3)
- HK-339 (“Imitation” Issue): NGC Not Suitable for Certification (R7)
DESIGNER: Charles E. Barber
CATALOG NUMBER: HK-337
RARITY: 250 (Mintage Number)
(NGC Pop = 2; 4 Finer - NGC Total Pop = 7): [05/2022]
Rarity Level 7 = ~11-20 Known - Designated "Extremely Rare"
SO-CALLED DOLLAR DESCRIPTION:
(Philadelphia Minted, Business Strike, Gold Plated, 34mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Zebulon Montgomery Pike - 1779-1813 / (Portrait of Zebulon Pike)
REVERSE: Southwest Expedition Commemorative Medal / (Portrait of Pike’s Peak mountain) / Pike’s Peak / Colorado 1806-1906
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(Specific History):
Similar to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Southwest Expedition was an effort to explore the vast Western lands obtained from the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The Southwest Expedition was led by U.S. Army officer Zebulon Montgomery Pike. His party encountered (what became known as) Pikes Peak west of present day Colorado Springs in November 1806. Commemorative so-called dollars were issued a century later, in brilliant silver (HK-335), oxidized finish silver (HK-336), gilt bronze (HK-337), and bronze (HK-338). HK-337 is the rarest format. — Credited Source: Heritage Auctions
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(So-Called Dollar Guide Background)
Purpose: "To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Pike's Peak ('sighted' Nov. 15, 1806) by Lt. Zebulon Montgomery Pike during his Southwest Expedition, 1806-07, following Louisiana Purchase."
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Organization: "Pike Monument Association formed December 1896; planned to erect statue of Pike 'of heroic size and in enduring bronze' and 'to...forever maintain...monument and historical data.' This Celebration 10 years later was staged by Association; financed by public contributions and sale of medals; bronze statue never did materialize. Organization disappeared shortly thereafter."
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Site, Dates: "Colorado Springs, Colorado; Sept. 23 to 29, 1906."
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Comment: "Explorations of Lt. Pike (1779-1813) are basic United States history. Steadily promoted in U.S. Army, he was Adjutant and Inspector General when killed in action in War of 1812 during victorious assault on York (now Toronto), Canada, April 27, 1813.
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Celebration opened Sunday, city-wide church services emphasizing 'high moral character, religious life and patriotic services of Gen. Pike.' Weekday program included parades, polo matches, band concerts, golf tournament, rodeo; highlighted by address by U.S. Vice President Chas. W. Fairbanks and unveilings of bronze tablet on Pike's Peak summit and of granite boulder or shaft in Antlers Park, Colorado Springs. Latter bears 4 plaques reciting discovery of Peak, facts of Pike's life and excerpts from his diary."
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Medals: "Official Medals authorized by 59th Congress; designed by C. E. Barber; struck at Philadelphia Mint. Mint records reveal issue limited to 250 Silver proof, 250 Gold-plate, 4,200 gray-oxidized Silver and 6,250 Bronze; sold through local banks and Chamber of Commerce; Bronze for 50 cents, Silver for $1; 65% of all were looped. Some authorities insist these quantities were ones 'ordered,' that issue actually was smaller. In any event, of total struck, large portion was delivered by Mint apparently too late for sale; they were stored and forgotten for 49 years.
In 1955 these 4,000 pieces were found in basement of old First National Bank Building during demolition. Historical Society of Pike's Peak Region, Inc. directed their sale to help finance 1956 Celebration (no new or additional medals struck for latter event). Again, most were mounted but loops were 'expertly removed to make...acceptable to Collectors' and many do defy detection." — Credited Source: So-Called Dollars by Harold E. Hibler and Charles V. Kappen