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| TOP POP HK-287 PAE OFFICIAL MEDAL - SILVER |
United States
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SC$1 1901 NY HK-287 PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION OFFICIAL MEDAL
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NGC MS 64
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The silver version of the "Official Medal" from the Pan Am is unquestionably rarer than its Gilt Brass counterpart. Silver medals are rare and appear infrequently for sale; perhaps 2 to 3 per year. There was a flood for sale back in the first half of 2016 with no less than 6 different appearances in eBay and Heritage auctions.
Beyond medals actually composed of silver, there is a reference in a SCD tally of the existence of a silver-plated brass example. I was able to purchase that coin, once sold by Kopenhover in the 1970s. I also have a silver plated example of HK-290 that I hope leads to acceptance of a new 290B variety. Do not confuse true silver pieces or even a vintage plated piece with the gilt examples that have been unscrupulously silver plated recently, "antiqued" or doctored to appear old, and then offered for sale on venues such as eBay. Considering how many are in the current NGC pop report, this appears to be in the R5 range.
This piece has a wonderful patina with lovely toning particularly on the reverse. If it were not for a couple of marks on the obverse, this near gem would have graded higher. Plus it has a splendid pedigree from the Eric P. Newman Collection. There are four at this level with five graded higher: pop 4/7 and I would like to upgrade. The MS65 Ostheimer piece was offered for sale c. 2018 in the $1250 range. But for that price, I would rather have gone after the finest known at MS66.
NGC Pop 8/6/18 = 18
NGC Pop 1/14/23 = 26
1-40
1-50
1-55
2-58
1-61
5-62*
4-63*
4-64*
5-65
2-66
Total = 26, 3 - 12%, +2 Details
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| TIED FOR FINEST KNOWN HK-288 PAE OFFICIAL MEDAL - COPPER |
United States
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Copper SC$1 1901 NY HK-288 PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION OFFICIAL MEDAL OSTHEIMER COLLECTION EX. HIBLER
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NGC MS 65 RB
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This is the rarest of the three "Official Medal" compositions. I am not sure what to make of this medal and whether it is some kind of off-metal test strike or what the exact origin is. I am still looking for a confirmation of the attribution, but I have read that only the Brass and Silver medals were for sale at the expo.
This is the Hibler-Ostheimer specimen. It is a gem Red-Brown example that is clearly different than the typical HK289. Verification of metal content is mandatory on these, especially on circulated pieces. It's not just enough to visually identify a worn piece looks like an old penny versus an aged and worn brass piece. For many years, the only graded examples on the NGC pop reports were an XF-40, AU-55, and this MS65 RB. A few more examples have seemed to appear and disappear, as I had an AU53 that was retested for metal content and was reverted back to an HK-289! And there was a MS64 BN that seems to have been removed for the population a few years back.
At the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018, a few examples must have hit the market as the pop reports exploded with a MS 64 BN (since removed), two MS 65 BN, a MS 64 RB, and another MS 65 RB. I have seen most of these new additions either in person or by photo and they are truly spectacular. The newer examples are actually bronze not copper. I plan to submit this Ostheimer specimen for evaluation and perhaps we will learn that HK-288s should be cataloged as bronze and not copper as originally attributed in the book.
The HK-288 remains a true rarity at R7. This specimen is the tied for the finest known.
NGC Pop 8/7/18, same on 1/15/23
1 - XF40 BN
1 - AU55 BN
2 - MS65 BN*
Total = 4 in BN, 1 - 25%
1 - MS64RB*
2 - MS65RB*
Total = 3 in RB, 2 - 67%
Total = 7, 3 - 43%
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| FINEST KNOWN HK-289 PAE OFFICIAL MEDAL - BRASS (GILT) |
United States
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Gilt Brass SC$1 1901 NY HK-289 PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION OFFICIAL MEDAL OFFICIAL MEDAL
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NGC MS 68
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The gilt-brass "Official Medal" is the most frequently encountered of all Pan Am medals. These were struck on the fair grounds by the press on display for the US Treasury exhibit in the US Government Building. It is an R1, consistent with the original R3 rating in the first edition of HK. Despite its availability, it is in high demand and even lower grade pieces are quickly sold. It can be found for sale at any time, in almost every grade from Good to MS-67.
This specimen is an uber gem and at one time was the finest known, or at least the finest graded at MS68. Then an estate sale of the Director of the Expo, William Buchanan was offered in 2021. Included in the sale was a box of 25 medals, 13 of which graded MS68, 10 graded MS67, and 2 graded lower. This is also one of the highest graded of all So Called Dollars. Over 38,000 SCDs have been graded by NGC and only around 109 are the equal of this at the MS68 level and only around sixteen are finer at MS69 for the entire series. With nearly flawless surfaces and resplendent luster, it is truly one of the best!
NGC pop 1/15/23 = 329
1 = XF40
3 = XF45
1 = AU53
2 = AU55
9 = AU58
3 = MS61
18 = MS62
36 = MS63
55 = MS64
79 = MS65
68 = MS66
41 = MS67
13 = MS68
16 = 5%, + 2 Details
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View Coin
| 2ND FINEST KNOWN HK-290 PAE McKINLEY ASSASSINATION - COPPER (GILT) |
United States
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BRASS SC$1 1901 NY HK-290 McKINLEY ASSASSINATION PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION
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NGC MS 63
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This medal marks the assassination of President McKinley at the Expo. If these were only issued at the expo, that might explain their rarity. The fair would close seven weeks after McKinley died and this medal may not have had a large mintage nor been available for a long period of time. It is hard to find and is a mid-high R5 rating not R6 as previously reported. High grade examples with much remaining original gilt surfaces undisturbed are almost non-existent.
This is a lovely-toned MS-63 example. As much as I would like to claim this is finest graded example, I cannot state that. This is the second finest graded. There is a beautiful MS-64 PL specimen out there that has not made it to the pop reports yet. But from the photo I have seen of that one it appears to be very flashy with full gilt and a medal I would like to upgrade to in my collection!
22
1 = PR-AG*
1 = XF45*
3 = AU53**
1 = AU55*
1 = AU58*
4 = MS61**
6 = MS62
3 = MS63**
1 = MS64*
10/22 = 45%, plus 10 details
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View Coin
| TIED FOR FINEST KNOWN HK-290A PAE McKINLEY ASSASSINATION - ALUMINUM |
United States
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Aluminum SC$1 1901 NY HK-290A McKINLEY ASSASSINATION PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION
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NGC MS 63 PL
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The gilt-brass HK-290 has a reputation as an elusive medal. Based on number of appearances that seems to be a high R5 and not an R6 as previously believed. The aluminum HK-290A to me is an under-rated rarity and seems to be offered less frequently than its HK-290 counterpart and may be a true R6. There are only 11 pieces graded by NGC: 2 MS60, 5 MS61, 1 MS 63, 1 MS61 PL, and two MS63 PL.
This example is a marvelous piece and is tied with one other as the finest known. It is a lovely medal with proof like fields contrasting a frosty design.
As a side note, I have a brass example of 290 that has been silver plated. 290As are aluminum and a plated brass example would be heavier so I do not think there would be any confusion between the two. I hope the silvered version is accepted as a new 290B variety someday.
NGC pop = 25 as of 1/15/23
2 = AU55
1 = AU58
2 = MS60
10 = MS61
1 = MS 63
1 = MSPL58
2 = MSPL61
2 = MSPL63
2 = MSDPL61
1 = MSDPL63
1 = MSDPL64
13/25 = 52%, +3 Details
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View Coin
| TOP POP HK-291 PAE BUFFALO DOLLAR |
United States
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SC$1 1901 NY HK-291 BUFFALO DOLLAR PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION
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NGC MS 65 PL
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This is the wonderful "Buffalo Dollar" from the Pan Am. Recognized as an R5 in the latest editions of the "So Called Dollar" references, but that is overstating the true rarity. This is in the R4 range with at least 100+ surviving. These are offered periodically on eBay and at other auctions in a wide spectrum of grades, about 3-5 or so a year (sometimes more sometimes less). There are even some nice proof-like mint state pieces offered every so often. There appear to be about the same number of holed as unholed examples, but demand for unholed pieces make those much more valuable. I have even seen them looped.
There are two distinct varieties of the HK291 though it is not recognized as such yet. This is the more "common" of the two varities, but this is still a scarce piece and high grade examples are prized.
This is a gorgeous gem designated as PL. I was hoping this would get the DPL nod when I submitted it, as this has wonderful cameo contrast and deep fields. This is one of two pieces graded MS65 PL with none finer: population 2/0. There is one HK291 graded numerically higher at MS66. But that is not PL and from the photos as seen from the Heritage auction, it does not seem to have much gilt remaining. Yet it still sold for over $1,000. There is also an MS65 and judging by the photos, that is a nice piece too. There are also five graded MS 63 DPL and three MS 64 DPL. So this is certainly among the top 10 in the condition census with only 8 or 9 that could possibly be considered finer.
NGC pop = 55
1 = XF45
1 = AU50
1 = AU53
2 = AU55
4 = AU58
1 = MS60
6 = MS61
12 = MS62
1 = MS63
1 = MS64
1 = MS65
1 = MS66
6 = MSPL62
6 = MSPL63
2 = MSPL65
1 = MSDPL62
5 = MSDPL63
3 = MSDPL64
26/55 = 47%, +6 Details
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View Coin
| FINEST KNOWN HK-291A PAE BUFFALO - VIEW OF FAIR |
United States
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Gilt Brass SC$1 1901 NY HK-291A BUFFALO - VIEW OF FAIR PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION
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NGC MS 65 DPL
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My favorite design of all the Pan American SCDs! The obverse features a buffalo similar to HK291, and the reverse has a marvelous view of the fair with all the prominent buildings on display. There are two distinct varieties on the reverse. The letters may be the same size, but this variety seems to have the lettering more closely spaced. The letters in "Buffalo" at the bottom are closer toghether than on the variety. The other noticeable difference is where the "E" and "N" in "EXPOSITION" align to "PAN AMERICAN." On this variety, the E is to the right of "N" in Pan, and the N is about to the right side of the third "A." For this reason, I am referring to this variety as the "Close Letters Reverse." I can only assume that as the spacing was not symmetrical, the reverse was redone.
This is the finest graded example and a marvelous deep proof like gem specimen.
NGC pop = 30, 1/15/23
2 Loop
1 = XF40
1 = AU50
3 = MS61
5 = MS62
4 = MSPL62
5 = MSPL63
3 = MSPL64
1 = MSDPL61
1 = MSDPL63
1 = MSDPL65
1 Loop
2 = MS61
1 = MS62
1 = MSPL61
1 = MSDPL62
23 / 30 = 77% + 2 Detail
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