Owner Comments:
SO-CALLED DOLLAR APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
TOP POP: Uncirculated+ (Images courtesy of NGC PhotoVision)
“National Mining Arm & Hammer SCD”
*One of, if not, the rarest pieces in this collection. A stunning example at the top of NGC’s population report. — In-hand, the fields are reflective; exhibiting a deep aqua blue, crimson, and sunset tangerine; remarkable eye-appeal for lower mint-state. Exceedingly rare in all grades. NGC has graded just “one” example, as well as just “one”’example of the Rulau-CO-DE-6; both are the only two issues from the Denver, CO National Mining & Industrial Expo and “both” are included in this collection. An extraordinary feat.*
SO-CALLED DOLLAR DESCRIPTION:
“Signed E. JACCARD JEWELRY Co. ST. LOUIS MO, below a well engraved version of the exposition hall. The reverse features a mining operation with underground shafts depicted below the structure. Struck with a plain edge.” — Credited Source: Shevlin and Hyder
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“Planning began at the end of 1880 with a proposal for a permanent mining exposition grounds that would become a grand museum. The Director of the Denver Mint agreed to accept the position of Acting President to raise the stature of the endeavor. It was to be the greatest event of the year for the city and the state.
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The primary three-story exposition building depicted on the obverse was built in the shape of a Maltese cross, a substantial edifice of brick free from any ornamentation.
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Organizers sought to secure a full representation of all minerals and information needed to promote intelligent mining and combat the battle against frauds that were crippling mining interest in Colorado and the West. Mining industry investors were aware that the swindlers on the East Coast were selling stocks they did not own to the detriment of legitimate mine owners seeking investments.
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More insidious were efforts to depress the value of legitimate stocks. An article that ran in the January 21, 1879 issue of the “Vermont Burlington Free Press” warned investors away from the Sunshine Mines stock. It claimed that Colorado lacked the investments to develop their mines and warned against investing in the Sunshine Mines. Similar stories that ran without real evidence of their veracity led to the loss of stock values. Those likely responsible for the stories then bought up the worthless stocks before stories could break that gold and silver was indeed flowing from the mines.
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Investing in mining stock was indeed a hazardous industry on the Eastern seaboard, due to the rampant fraud, while highly profitable in Colorado where investors had access to first-hand information. The Denver mining and business community had good cause to plan an exposition to set the country straight about their legitimate, honest efforts.” — Credited Source: Shevlin and Hyder
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Extremely rare so-called dollar. Minimal information previously existed on this issue, which was neither listed in the 1st or 2nd edition of Hibler and Kappen’s So-Called Dollar guides. However, the issue has now officially been cataloged by Jeff Shevlin and Bill Hyder in their revised 2023 so-called dollar guide. The catalog number will officially be SH 3-42 WM. — Additionally, it appears this medal was already cataloged by Rulau under R-CO-DE-5 which NGC had an entire population report for. Yet, as of January 2023, NGC appeared to have completely decommissioned/purged all Rulau population data. Medal descriptions were still listed, but there was unfortunately no data. — UPDATE: As of April 2023, Rulau census data now appears to be back.
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There was “one” more related issue from the same expo (shown here) with the catalog number Rulau-CO-DE-5 or SH 3-42 WM “National Mining Arm & Hammer SCD”. Just one number below/above this issue (Rulau and SH, respectively). Another extraordinarily rare issue that finally came to auction in February of 2023 via Heritage. It is very likely these are the only 2 issues from the 1882 National Mining and Industrial Expo of Denver, CO. UPDATE: Since the release of Shevlin/Hyder’s 2023 SCD guide, this fact is confirmed. Although I persistently tried to win this NGC MS-62 example, it ended up selling for $720 including BP during the live bidding phase of the auction (which was a bit out of my price range for this issue at the time). Very unfortunate considering it would have made a great addition to this collection. HOWEVER, in an amazing, lucky, plot twist turn of events, I get an email from Heritage on 4/11/23, roughly 2 months after the sale in auction. Heritage advises the winning bidder was unable to complete the transaction and I’d be given an “underbidding offer” based on coming in second. I advised I absolutely was! Subsequently, the medal is now in my collection! To own “both” of these issues is an extremely challenging feat that adds significant historical and monetary value to this collection, as Shevlin/Hyder have determined the issue to be an R8. Both issues are as follows:
- 1882 Rulau-CO-DE-5 & SH 3-42 WM “National Mining Arm & Hammer SCD” (NGC MS-62) — R8
- 1882 Rulau-CO-DE-6 & SH 3-41 WM “National Mining & Industrial Exposition Official SCD” (NGC AU-53) — R6
DESIGNER: E. Jaccard Jewelry Co. of St. Louis, MO
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
- SH 3-42 WM
- Rulau-CO-DE-5
RARITY: Total struck: Unknown
(*TOP POP* 1 NGC Pop = 1; NONE Finer) [05/2023]
Rarity Level 8 = ~5-10 Known - Designated "Extremely Rare”
SO-CALLED DOLLAR DESCRIPTION:
(White Metal, 30mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: National Mining / (Depiction of Mining & Industrial Expo main hall) / E. Jaccard Jewelry Co. St. Louis, MO / Denver Col. 1882 / and Industrial Exposition
REVERSE: (A mining operation with underground shafts depicted below the structure)
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(National Mining and Industrial Exposition, 1882, Denver, CO):
“The National Mining and Industrial Exposition opened August 1, 1882 at the corner of South Broadway and Exposition Avenue in Denver, Colorado, exhibiting mining and industrial equipment and resources. The buildings were removed after the third annual exhibition in October, 1884. Long, white tents and covered wagons stood in front of the complex near a railroad track.” — Credited Source: DPL Western History Collection C-94