Lusterrules So-Called Dollars

Owner Comments:

On December 16, 1884, the World’s Industrial & Cotton Centennial Exposition opened in New Orleans, LA. and ran until June 1, 1885. At the time, one third of the United States cotton crop passed through the port of New Orleans. The purpose of the exposition was twofold, one being to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first shipment of cotton from the United States to England and the second to promote and grow the cotton industry. Several different types of medals were struck in various compositions for this exposition. This piece is made of white metal and is holed as made. Its obverse design features a representation of the Liberty Bell which was loaned to the expo for display. It is the plate example for this medal pictured in the second edition of Hibler & Kappen’s So-Called Dollars an Illustrated Standard Catalog. Only three examples of this medal have been certified by NGC, one at AU-53, this piece at MS-60 and one other at MS-61. The rarity for this medal is listed as R8 (5-10 known) in Shevlin & Hyder’s book “So-Called Dollars Volume 1: United States Expositions”.