Owner Comments:
SO-CALLED DOLLAR APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Type I Variety: Uncirculated+
*An absolutely stunning example of this exceedingly rare issue. Although minor blemishes and marks are exhibited, the overall piece is truly beautiful. When held to light, its lustrous, bright white surfaces make themselves known, showing the deep, defined incused legends. A gorgeous, very light golden-tangerine toning is seen throughout the example. A historic rarity that I feel lucky to have residing in this collection. — This issue holds the highest rarity of the four 1933 Colorado Century of Progress SC$1 varieties; with just 300 struck and a rarity of R6.*
SO-CALLED DOLLAR BACKGROUND:
“Only 300 issued. Placed on sale Feb. 2 1933, these were sold quickly to members of Chamber of Commerce and of Denver Real Estate Exchange and to their friends.” — Of the mere 300 examples issued, one has to imagine someone of great prominence likely owned this specimen at one-point in time. Making it all the more historically fascinating.
—————
Completed “Colorado’s Century of Progress Dollars” Collection Listed in this Set are as Follows:
- HK-867 (Type I: Incused): NGC MS-62 (R6)
- HK-868 (Type II: Incused): NGC MS-62 PL (R5; Potentially R6/R7 in PL)
- HK-869 (Type III: Incused): NGC AU-58 (R5)
- HK-870 (Type IV: Embossed): PCGS MS-65 (R3)
DESIGNER: Colorado Century of Progress Commission
ENGRAVER: H.H. Tammen Co.
CATALOG NUMBER: HK-867
RARITY: 200 (Total Struck)
(NGC Pop = 14; 16 Finer - NGC Total Pop = 44): [05/2022]
Rarity Level 6 = ~21-75 Known - Designated "Rare to Very Rare"
SO-CALLED DOLLAR DESCRIPTION:
(Planchets Made by Sachs-Lawlor Co. of Denver, Struck by The H. H. Tammen Co. of Denver, 1oz Silver, 38mm, Round, Incused Letters/Figures, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Between two circles, • A Century of Progress • above and Souvenir below; State Seal within inner circle; above, Colorado
REVERSE: Within circle, around • One Avdp. Ounce Fine Silver •; below, 1933; across, in center, Silver / Will Restore / Prosperity / to / Colorado
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
“Colorado State Legislature failed to appropriate funds for participation in Century of Progress Exposition, Chicago, 1933. Many Denver and other civic organizations, knowing that 32 or more other states were to have official exhibits, believed that Colorado's non-appearance would be detrimental to its industrial welfare.
——-
About $60,000 was estimated to be necessary to assure proper representation and only about 30 days then remained in which to raise it. A plan to produce and sell "Colorado Dollars" was devised and adopted by Colorado Century of Progress Commission to accomplish this objective.
——-
On Feb. 1, 1933, Commission announced that one-ounce discs of pure silver would be sold at $1 each, silver costing but 28 cents an ounce at that time. Next day Gov. Ed C. Johnson of Colorado purchased first token and general sale was started throughout state. The discs were advertised and sold elsewhere by Colorado State Board of Immigration, Denver, for $1.25 each.
——-
Planchets were made by Sachs-Lawlor Co., Denver. The H. H. Tammen Co., also of Denver, struck the pieces. All have plain edge. First three types have incuse letters and figures. Type IV is embossed.” — Credited Source: Hibler and Kappen