Owner Comments:
SOUTH CAROLINA INTER-STATE AND WEST INDIAN EXPOSITION 1901-1902, CHARLESTON, SC. LIBERTY BELL DOLLAR HK-293a White Metal. 35.04mm.
THERE ARE ONLY A TOTAL OF (4) OF THIS TYPE LISTED IN THE NGC CENSUS AS OF 3/2024, WITH ONLY (1) MS 62 FINER.
NONE OF THIS WHITE METAL TYPE HAVE BEEN SOLD BY HERITAGE AUCTIONS OR STACKS BOWERS AUCTIONS AS OF 1/2024. MY BRONZE HK-293 IN MS 65 BN WAS SOLD BY HERITAGE AUCTIONS IN 2022 FOR $2,280.00.
THIS MEDAL TYPE SH 12-2 WM, AND THE BRONZE VARIETY SH 12-2 BZ ARE BOTH LISTED AS RARITY R-7 (11-20 KNOWN) IN THE NEW SO-CALLED DOLLAR BOOK BY JEFF SHEVLIN AND BILL HYDER.
Purpose: To advertise city's port, geographical position and potential for trade with West Indies and Central and South America in effort to recapture its "former commercial position", Charleston's prosperity having lagged behind that of many other southern communities.
As with so many expositions, weakening trade inspired the South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian Exposition. The Liberty Bell was sent to Charleston for the exposition and it was only the fourth time the Liberty Bell was transported out of Philadelphia for display. The Bell had previously visited New Orleans, Chicago, and Atlanta. Celebrations were planned in the towns and villages along the route to cheer its passing. Bonfires, lanterns, and torches lit the rail lines at night to express reverence for this artifact of American freedom. Three so-called dollars were struck in various compositions for this exposition.