Owner Comments:
SO-CALLED DOLLAR APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Brilliant Gem
*Beautiful example of this scarcer issue. Deep golden and tangerine luster enhance the overall eye-appeal. - Significant die-crack can be observed running through the second “O” in “COLORADO” on the obverse. Making this example even more historically unique. — Matches its uniface counterpart (HK-544).*
SO-CALLED DOLLAR BACKGROUND:
Apparently struck originally in effort to interest towns, cities, merchants & others in using the reverse for individualized purposes; few such known. Issue was quite limited.
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The original HK-544 is uniface. This issue is indeed the HK-544; however, the reverse was utilized for the 75th anniversary of Fort Morgan, Colorado. It is unknown how many original HK-544’s were used for this purpose. The 544 itself is an R6 (~21-75 known). Therefore, it is likely this variety is even rarer.
CATALOG NUMBER: HK-544B (Self-Designated)
RARITY: Unknown; Hibler & Kappen note it as being “quite limited”
NGC Census not available.
HK544: Rarity Level 6 = ~21-75 Known - Designated "Rare to Very Rare" (HK 544B is potentially an R7)
SO-CALLED DOLLAR DESCRIPTION:
(Gilt Bronze, 33mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Covered wagon scene similar to that on Official Medal above; above Colorado / Rush to the / Rockies / Centennial / to l. 1859, to r. 1959.
REVERSE: Fort Morgan 75th Anniversary - Souvenir Money / 1884 • 1959 / Diamond Jubilee / Good for 50¢ in Trade / at Any Cooperative Business / or Redeemable at Face Value / at Any Bank in Fort Morgan / until Noon Aug. 7, / 1959
SO-CALLED DOLLAR HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(HK-544 So-Called Dollar)
“Purpose: To commemorate 100th anniversary of first mass settlement of state following discovery of gold in 1859 in Central City, once "richest square mile on earth." Included were centennial celebrations of 19 cities including Denver and Colorado Springs.
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Organization: This was not a "World's Fair"; rather, "in each town events were offered which "re-created pioneer days, illustrated growth of state and provided unique entertainment." Denver acted first; Council created Centennial Commemorative Authority 1955; Legislature created Centennial Commission January 1958 to coordinate state and local observances; similar Committees established in most communities. State granted $125,000 but mere $70,000 spent as this was described officially as "Do-It-Yourself Celebration" actually costing residents of state "only about 4 cents each."
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Site, Dates, Attendance: In 150 towns and cities over 400 events were held throughout 1959 attracting 4,000,000 "additional" visitors to state. U.S. participation largely limited to Federal Agencies Fair, Denver Federal Center; no Mint Exhibit.
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Comment: Officially dubbed "Rush to the Rockies" Celebration, focal point was pioneer village erected in downtown Denver, complete with blacksmith shop, livery stable, saloon, sheriff's office, etc. Abutting this in Civic Center, in world's first public showing, towered 13-story-tall Titan ICBM, built in nearby Martin plant and symbolic of Space Age. Elsewhere, old West reborn in detailed restoration of famous mining town of "South Park City" (Fairplay) and in festivities at Cripple Creek, Leadville et al. Replica of first Colorado Mint, Clark, Gruber and Co., was erected in Historical Museum, Denver, visitors exchanging paper money for silver. Miners, past and present, were honored in Hall of Mining Progress (Mining Exchange Building), Denver.
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Highlight of entire year was First Commencement and Official Dedication by President Eisenhower, June 3, of new $136,000,000 U.S. Air Force Academy located against spectacular Rampart Range near Colorado Springs.” — Credited Source: Hibler and Kappen
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(Fort Morgan, Colorado):
“Camp Wardwell was established in 1865 along the Overland Trail to protect emigrants and supplies going to and from Denver and the mining districts. The fort was renamed in 1866 by General John Pope for one of his staff, Colonel Christopher A. Morgan, who had died earlier that year. The fort closed in 1868 after being used by 19 different companies from 11 cavalry and infantry regiments (about 1,300 soldiers).” — Credited Source: Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 129.