Exonumia - New Variety of So Called Dollar HK892(a?)

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by GeorgeM, May 18, 2015.

  1. GeorgeM

    GeorgeM Well-Known Member

    I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but I haven't seen an exonumia category on the site (if there is one).

    I just picked up a medal that isn't described in the H&K catalog. It is identical to HK892, except that it's dated 1918 instead of 1917. Here's a link to the known/acknowledged pattern (called a type I, to differentiate it from a very different good luck wartime medal):
    http://www.so-calleddollars.com/Events/World_War_I_Good_Luck_Medals.html

    HK892 is described as an R-4 rarity, but far fewer than that are known in any numismatic holdings (30-40 have been tracked vs 500-1,500 estimated in existence). There's quite a discrepancy in those numbers: a few are probably held in militaria collections, but my impression is that R-4 may understate the surviving number. There may be more of these "good luck" pieces buried with their recipients in France than held in any type of collection.

    I can't think of anything that would preclude the 1918 version from qualifying for the SCD series, and I don't know if it's been identified before. There's also a note on an attempted census that indicates that I'm not the first to spot this date variety:
    http://www.socalleddollar.com/notes.html#HK892

    "HK892: Found dated either 1917 or 1918. The 1st edition of HK describes this piece as being dated 1917, but shows a picture of the 1918 piece. The 2nd edition shows the 1917 piece. My tally numbers probably(?) include only 1917 pieces. 1918 pieces appear to be more rare."
     

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  3. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    That is a really awesome piece! Thank you for sharing.
     
  4. GeorgeM

    GeorgeM Well-Known Member

    These may not be as uncommon as my research suggested. I found 2 more examples at the TNA show in Arlington this weekend (one in VF & one in EF with traces of mint luster):
     

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