Time to get back to sharing some of my journey in collecting classic commemoratives. This week I wanted to share with you the 1900 Lafayette Commemorative Dollar. I just picked up this coin about a week and a half ago at auction. It will be added to my overall collection of classic commemorative coins.
This coin commemorates the erection of a monument of General Lafayette for the Paris World’s Fair in 1900. Lafayette was a French general who fought in the American Revolutionary War alongside the colonials and is a celebrated hero.
The coin contains 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. It weighs 26.7 grams and has a reeded edge. The coins obverse and reverse were both designed by Charles E. Barber the famous coin engraver in 1899.
The obverse has joined bust of George Washington and Lafayette with United States of America and Lafayette Dollar the outter edge of the obverse. The statue of Lafayette is on the reverse of the coin along with the inscriptions Erected by the Youth of the United States in Honor of Gen Lafayette and Paris 1900.
It was minted in Philadelphia. Around 50,000 were produced, but over 14,000 were eventually unsold and melted down by the mint. It is believed only just over 36,000 made it into circulation. It has a Numista rarity index of 63 of 100.
The minting of the 1900 Lafayette dollar symbolized the friendship between the United States and France. This coin serves as a tribute to this historical connection. This was also the first coin to display a U.S. President with the effigy of George Washington on the obverse with Lafayette.
If you have any further information about this coin you would like to add, like historical information I left out or want to correct any I may have gotten wrong, please drop it in the comments.
Thanks for reading,
Joe
Notes:
-All content is mine unless otherwise annotated.
-Images are my own unless otherwise noted taken with iPhone SE.
-Photos edited using MS Paint or iPhone SE.
-Page Dividers from The Terminal Discord.
Are auction prices much cheaper than book prices I wonder?
It just depends on the individual piece being bid on. I’ve got some under book price and some that after paying shipping were over book. I try to stay under book most of the time.
Damn, that is a NICE coin bro! And so few are left. Sweet score and nice snaps!
Thank you. Yeah I couldn’t believe there are so few
Very cool brother! I used to have a few cool coins, but I’m not sure where they ended up!
Thanks. I have been collecting on and off since I was in middle school. Never that serious until a couple years ago.
Yeah just recently it’s been looking like a viable economic backup plan, just in terms of precious metals honestly…I sometimes fantasize about finding my old collection, but I’m sure it’s a goner.
Most of mine have silver content of varying percentages. But most have more value as a collectible than for the silver. But yes they can always be used, when shit hits the fan, as currency for their precious content.
Also dont give up on finding your old coins.
Nice piece you got there. I don't think I own anything that old. I'd have to go back and look, but I am really doubting it!
Thank you. I actually got some pieces from the 1790's. They don't look that great though. I think I shared one on here at one time.
Very nice coin. That's one I have never bought over the years. I think I never found one in decent condition. That thing is awesome!
Thanks. I just lucked across it at an online auction.
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STOPExcellent. I will keep spreading the love.
That's the spirit! Keep up the great work, @coinjoe. Every upvote helps create a positive and supportive community.
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Thanks