DO WE CALL THEM SO-CALLED DIMES?

The So-Called Dollar term was invented because the medals defined by it are all the size of the most popular US coin of all time- the Silver Dollar. The unintended consequence of a popular coin is that other similar metal pieces will follow of the same size. Why not? Its everybody's favorite.

Benjamin Fauver had a box in his collection labeled "So-Called Dimes." In it were a series of dime sized tokens that fit the definition of the "So-Called" part of "So-Called Dollars." The tokens are all exposition commemorative pieces, but all dime (18mm) sized. But So-Called Dimes? The humble dime is in our culture: "Somebody Loan Me A Dime," a "dime-a-dozen". "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" is one of the best known songs from the Great Depression.

Harold E. Hibler and Charles V. Kappen wrote the book on So Called Dollars in 1963, and defined their focus: "This present work is restricted to medals of an exposition, commemorative, monetary and kindred nature. ...From the beginning, however, it was necessary to establish the following specific limitations in order to contain our efforts within a manageable perimeter." We can imitate the parameters of a SoCalled Dollar:

1. United States only

2. Minimum and maximum: 16-20 mm.

3. Looped material is essential as many were made to be worn. (Very few So Called Dollars have loops as they were heavier to wear.)

4. No plastic, fiber or similar material because they are metal.

5. No political medals.

Enough with the rules. The medals in the Fauver Collection are mostly 18 mm: the same size as a dime. Each are commemorating an exposition or commemorative event.

Most of these pieces are rare and die sinkers are hard to identify. James Murdock Jr. of Cincinnati sold his medalets at various fairs throughout many states surrounding Ohio. In the 1890s he used a stock die with the entire Lord's Prayer on the reverse. Several examples are in the Fauver Collection. The 1876 Centennial in Philadelphia produced a medal with the Prayer on the reverse. Henry Kettle of Birmingham England also produced Lord's Prayer medals. In America the Lord "Who Art In Heaven" and in Britain the Lord "Which Art In Heaven." Wiley W. Osborne bought Murdock's business so it became the Osborne Coinage Company, a still operating private mint.

The collection of collector Benjamin Fauver represented 23 different states, with California being the most prolific. Expositions became popular after the success of the 1893 Columbian Exposition: The Chicago World's Fair.

To read the complete article, see:
Do We Call Them So-Called Dimes or Dime Sized Counters or Small Tokens? (http://s3.amazonaws.com/auctionmobility-wordpress-node-4/wp-content/uploads/holabird/2020/08/19195705/PW-DCD-article.pdf)

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