BOOK REVIEW: SO-CALLED DOLLARS PACIFIC COAST EXPOS

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V21 2018 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 21, Number 49, December 9, 2018, Article 5

John and Nancy Wilson submitted this review of Jeff Shevlin's new book on the So-Called Dollar medals of Pacific Coast expositions. Thanks! -Editor

Previously we reviewed a pocket price guide of this current hard bound edition. This review is of the So-Called Dollars from The Pacific Coast Expositions, 1894-1962 authored by Jeff Shevlin and Professor William D. Hyder. This hard-bound reference has 300 pages, fully illustrated, and contains 300 color photographs. The preface is by well-known numismatist and author Q. David Bowers and he states “I thought I knew a lot about so-called dollars, but now I know much more.” The heart of the book is the in-depth analysis of all of the so-called dollars, their rarities and other historical U. S. medals that are associated with those great expositions.” The reference also has dozens of previously unknown medals and varieties.

The table of contents contains a dedication by Jeff Shevlin to his best friend Professor Hyder, the book covers the eight expositions from 1894 to 1962. It is not a price guide, but a very thorough review of the Pacific Coast Expositions and a very comprehensive study of its medals. You need the Pacific Coast Expositions Annual So-Called Dollar Collectors Pocket Price Guide for the prices.

The first exposition was held in Paris in 1844. The people marveled at the monumental excesses of neoclassical architecture housing splendid inventions and products of the Industrial Revolution.

The 1876 Exposition was the second exposition or fair held in America. This event had an attendance of 10 million people which was 20% of the population. A generation later the Chicago 1893 Fair had an attendance of 27 million visitors, which was 40% of the population. A list of all of the U. S. Expositions from the New York Crystal Palace event in 1853 to the New York World’s Fair in 1964 is given. There are dozens of other types of tokens and medals which are included with so-called dollars. Abbreviations for all metal compositions are given along with a rarity guide for all so-called dollars.

Eight Pacific coast expositions between 1894 to 1962 cover the many related tokens, medals and other numismatic items during this period. Jeff and Bill’s love, passion, knowledge and the history surrounding them for the Pacific Coast Expositions is covered thoroughly. Enlarged photos of all the known and newly discovered So-Called Dollars are illustrated

The 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition. The exposition hired mint engraver Charles Barber to design and cut the dies for their official medal.

The 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition covers so-called dollars along with wooden money post cards, ephemera, admission ticket, advertisements, circulars, photos of Hart and Zerbe, Louisiana gold, and a chart dealing with die attribution.

The 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition highlights the economic impact of the gold discoveries in Alaska and the Yukon Territory along with the importance of Seattle during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition was held in San Francisco and the 1915-1916 Panama-California Exposition was held in San Diego. They celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal. The rationale for the Panama-California Exposition was that the Port of San Diego was the nearest U. S. port for ships traveling through the Panama Canal.

The 1935-1936 California Pacific International Exposition. The exposition was to promote world peace and generate funds to save the deteriorating Balboa Park location which had housed the 1915-1916 expo.

The 1936-1940 Golden Gate International Exposition was held in San Francisco because of the success of the past two expos held there.

The 1962 Century 21 Exposition was held in Seattle and had a display of 1,000,000 silver dollars. The most interesting thing at the expo was the Space Needle which still exists today.

We never knew that collectors of so-called dollars had annual meetings which started in 2014 and special limited-edition medals have been made for the events. If you collect SCDs and would want to attend the next event you can contact the authors to find out about their next meeting. The author used a vast array of collectors, dealers and other sources – including Internet discussion boards who contributed with perhaps 1000 posts.

Pages 62 and 63 from Chapter 3 cover portions of the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition.

The reference is outstanding and after you consider the authors have put their lives work and vast knowledge of the subject into each and every chapter it is a terrific read. You will also gain knowledge of not only the SCDs issued for the various expositions but also the highly interesting and entertaining history of how they came about. To go along with this reference, we also recommend that you purchase the inexpensive, So-Called Dollar Pocket Price Guide, 2018 which we reviewed a few months ago. Both would make great Christmas gifts to yourself or your numismatic friends To purchase the So-Called Dollars From The Pacific Coast Expositions, 1894-1962 the cost is $59.95 plus $4.50 shipping. Send to Jeff Shevlin, the So-Called Guy, 1894 E. William Street, Suite 4-240, Carson City, NV 89701, Phone (916) 955-2569, Email SoCalledGuy@Hotmail.com or visit the web page at www.So-CalledDollar.com .