
One-third of all U.S. Cotton passed through the port of New Orleans in the early 1880s. The main exposition building was the largest exhibition hall constructed up to that point. Every state and all but one U.S. territory participated along with nine foreign countries. The U.S. government building included a mint exhibit where they struck white metal examples of the official medal SH 4–1 and, according to the official guidebook, U.S. silver, dollars, presumably, with an O mint mark. 18 different so-called dollars were struck in various compositions for this exposition. The details are cataloged in my 2023 book So-Called Dollars Volume I: United States Expositions. Click on the “View All” link below to see them.
1884 · SH 4-1 WM · HK-142 · White Metal
Engraved by George T. Morgan and struck in the U.S. Mint Exhibit at the Exposition.…
1884, 1885 · SH 4-1 BZ · HK-142A · Bronze
Engraved by George T. Morgan and struck in the U.S. Mint Exhibit at the Exposition.…
1884 · SH 4-2 BS · Brass
The exposition hall is featured, with an eagle and shield above. The obverse is signed…
1884 · SH 4-3 WM · White Metal
The obverse includes the portrait of the director, General, E. A. Burke, in a cartouche…
1884 · SH 4-4 BZ · Bronze
The obverse shows black laborers picking cotton with the engraver’s signature, ALF. VESTER., PROV. RI.,…
1884 · SH 4-5 BZ · HK-144A · Bronze
This so-called dollar commemorates the extraordinary event of the loan of the symbol of democracy…
1884 · SH 4-6 BZ · Bronze
Similar to SH 4-5; same Liberty Bell obverse die. The reverse commemorates the return of…
1884 · SH 4-7 WM · HK-143C · White Metal
Representation of the Liberty Bell on the obverse with the inscription commemorating the loan to…
1884 · SH 4-8 WM · HK-143B · White Metal
The coat of arms for the state of Louisiana forms the central device on the…
1884 · SH 4-9 WM · HK-143A · White Metal
Similar to SH 4-8, the seal of the state of Louisiana is replaced with the…
1884 · SH 4-10 WM · White Metal
The obverse commemorates the reunion of veterans of the Mexican War at the exposition. The…
1884 · SH 4-11 WM · HK-143D · White Metal
The obverse features a shield design that was used on fire department helmets, to commemorate…
1884 · SH 4-12 WM · White Metal
A composite shield on the obverse, with an eagle and various scenes of transportation and…
1884 · SH 4-13 WM · White Metal
The obverse design commemorates the meeting of the Blue and Gray in New Orleans, putting…