Expert: Ronald Fern - 4/6/2010

Question
I've got a copper 1909 Utah Dollar with "Alaska Yukon-Pacific Exposition" and "Utah Exhibit" on one side, and on the other side the great seal of the state of Utah, in almost mint condition.

Q: How much is it worth, and is it rare?

Answer
Hi Steve:

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to answer your question.

Your item is known as a "So-Called Dollar", and is from the ALASKA-YUKON-PACIFIC EXPOSITION, held in 1909 at SEATTLE, WA. A "So-Called Dollar" is a token or medal (not a coin) that commemorates a public or special event, a famous person, or a famous place. Some examples would include world's fairs, town or state anniversaries, statue dedications, and other events or historical figures in American history. They generally measure between 33 and 45 mm in diameter, and most collectors stick to pieces made prior to 1962 or so, due partially to the fact that this is when Harold Hibler and Charles Kappen's book on the subject was published. There are also two other types of so called dollars. One group is sometimes referred to as the "monetary" so called dollars. Most of these pieces center around the silver - gold controversy that was a divisive political issue during the late 1800s, and was the centerpiece of the presidential political campaign of 1896. These pieces have no size limitations, and include what are probably the most famous so called dollars, the Lesher dollars. The third group of pieces are the much smaller, and sometimes overlooked, gold dollar size pieces (often times not made of gold) that, like the larger so called dollars, were often associated with the world's fairs.

Your piece is what is known as an UTAH DOLLAR, and was struck in both Silver and Copper. It is identified as a HK-359. It was sponsored by State of Utah and sold in Utah Building on grounds for twenty-five cents. Your Copper piece has Virgin Utah Copper on the reverse at lower left border and a microscopic "Dieges %26 Clust. N. Y." can be found at the lower right border.

Your piece, in AU condition is relatively rare, carrying an R-5 to R-6 rating. It would likely have a value of approximately $150 to $200 to an interested collector.

There is one in about EF condition listed on ebay for $149.95.  See: http://cgi.ebay.com/1909-SO-CALLED-DOLLAR-ALASKA-YUKON-UTAH-EXHIBIT-EXPO_W0QQite...

One sold at the Long Beach Coin Show in Feb 09 NGC graded in MS64RB for $300, including buyer fees. See: http://www.icollector.com/1909-SC1-HK-359-NGC-MS64RB_i8453192

There is a graded MS-66 on ebay at $1475. See: http://cgi.ebay.com/HK-359-1909-ALASKA-YUKON-PACIFIC-EXPOSITION-NGC-MS66RD_W0QQi...

For more information, see: http://www.so-calleddollars.com/Events/Alaska_Yukon_Pacific.html

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.