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A cool So-Called Dollar by Thomas Elder

tmot99tmot99 Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭
This is listed as HK-436, but it really exists in a variety of medals which encompass HK-435 through HK-441. This is copper. Other metals used were silver, brass, nickel-silver, white metal, aluminum, and lead. The silver version appears to be one of the more common while, surprisingly, the copper and lead appear to be the rarest. This is also listed by our own Tom DeLorey as DeLorey 94.

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Comments

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,703 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's a very unusual subject which makes it an interesting medal.

    I wasn't familiar with it. Thanks for the picture and info.
    Tempus fugit.
  • numismanumisma Posts: 3,877 ✭✭✭✭

    I have the "Kaiserists" version in silver. I like this grouping of so-called dollars. Tmot99, how do you tell the difference between aluminum and white metal?
  • jonathanbjonathanb Posts: 3,726 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I need to get a white metal and aluminum version of the same medal in hand to confirm, but supposedly an aluminum piece will give a clear "ring" when you tap it, while a white metal version will only "thud".
  • coindeucecoindeuce Posts: 13,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Elder had an affinity for the design, taken from the vignette of the $40 notes issued by Continental Congress in 1778-1779.
    This example of HK-866 struck in bronze, only White Metal listed in HK.

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    "Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
    http://www.american-legacy-coins.com

  • tmot99tmot99 Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I have the "Kaiserists" version in silver. I like this grouping of so-called dollars. Tmot99, how do you tell the difference between aluminum and white metal? >>




    << <i>I need to get a white metal and aluminum version of the same medal in hand to confirm, but supposedly an aluminum piece will give a clear "ring" when you tap it, while a white metal version will only "thud". >>



    Yeah, what he said. Also weight would probably give an indication as I would expect aluminum to be lighter than white metal. At least in most other series, aluminum it typically lighter. I suppose it would depend on what alloy of metals were used to make the white metal. If all else fails, an X-Ray defraction test can distinguish the difference.
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,631 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I have the "Kaiserists" version in silver. I like this grouping of so-called dollars. Tmot99, how do you tell the difference between aluminum and white metal? >>



    Huge difference in weight. If it is aluminum you can barely feel it on the palm of your hand.
    TD
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    yes, these are certainly interesting pieces, but if you're serious about COOL i think the one pictured here would win every time!!!

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  • tmot99tmot99 Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭
    Well, yeah, that is the coolest. That didn't happen to be available though.
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The silver version appears to be one of the more common while, surprisingly, the copper and lead appear to be the rarest.

    actually, there aren't many Elder issues which i'd call "common" in any fashion, not even compared to each other in terms of availability. the HK-369/370/374's are probably the ones seen most often, but those tend to come in spurts for some odd reason. the Gold Dollar sized aluminum HK-374 appeared on eBay several years ago and i acquired three over the course of a few months, then they faded from sight and have started to appear again. the same has happened with HK-369/370 Silver and Aluminum issues. my records show about 8-15 being offered since last spring; while that looks like quite a few, it almost certainly represents most of the readily available specimens in Mint Stae or AU grades. i would wager that quite a few of the Silver/Gold SC$'s of any type have been melted, with the bulk of the survivors being of less than AU quality. when they're found it's always a nice surprise.

    in a nutshell, mosst of what Thomas Elder issued haven't fared well. the numbers struck of any medal were prohibitively low and the alloys he chose didn't survive well in the intervening years. on the upside, when Mint State items are found they typically have PL surfaces or a soft Matte-like finish.

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