So-Called Dollars

Hudson-Fulton Celebration - 1909 - New York City, NY

Purpose: To commemorate 300th anniversary of discovery of Hudson River and centenary of successful steamboat navigation.

In addition to tributes paid Hendrik Hudson and Robert Fulton, Commission sought "to re-stimulate interest in the important roles New York City and New York State played in American history, to inculcate in the vast immigrant population of the state a pride in their new Homeland and to promote international friendship."

Organization: Program staged by Hudson-Fulton Celebration Commission, created by 1906 Legislature; Members appointed by Governor and Mayor of New York City. At time of celebration, number of members had reached 805, including mayors of 47 other towns and cities.

Site, Dates: While New York City played leading role, other communities all along Hudson, up to headwaters at Troy, took active parts. Held Sept. 25 to Oct. 11, 1909, 17 days.

Comment: Opened with Naval Parade accompanying replicas of Half Moon and Clermont up Hudson to foot of 110th Street. Here was re-enacted Hendrik Hudson’s landing on Manhattan Island. Highlights of following days were Reception for foreign guests at Metropolitan Opera House, three great parades—Historical, Military and Carnival, Official Banquet at Astor Hotel and dedication of permanent memorials cit 15 points throughout city.

Medals: There was an Official Medal but sizes preclude listing here. Issued by American Numismatic Society; struck in Gold, Silver, Silver-plate, Bronze and Aluminum; gold medals presented to heads of 8 foreign countries and to President Taft; silver medals to commission members and certain guests; silver-plated, bronze and aluminum medals placed on public sale. Some still ore available from Society.

Hendrik Hudson Daalder and Robert Fulton Dollar series below were issued by late Thomas L. Elder, N.Y.C. coin dealer and prolific striker of medals (See Part III for Elder biographical sketch); designed by Frank C. Higgins; modeled by J. Edouard Rome; struck by Medallic Art Co.

HENDRIK HUDSON DAALDER

Contradictory information as to number of pieces issued in various metals appears in Elder sales catalogs, beginning 1909 and extending over many years. At one point it was stated "only 100 struck," at another "less than 50 struck" and then, "contrary to expectations, only a few were struck" - all referring to same medal. In any event, all Elder issues were quite limited.

Medals below appear frequently in those sales but no mention ever is made of any Brass piece in gold dollar size (K-76), nor is such piece known to authors. Consequently, it is not listed here Large Silver medal alone bears edge lettering as indicated.

Obverse: Male bust facing part r.; star and crescent at r. and l. borders; above Hendrik * Hudson ; below bust 1609; beaded border.
Reverse: Sailing ship; above Nieuw·Amsterdam below ship MCMIX / H / 1 Daalder; beaded border.

HK-369 - Silver, on edge Med. Art Co. Size 24. Less than 75 struck.
HK-370 - Aluminum. Size 24. Less than 200 struck.
HK-370a - Bronze.
HK-371 - Gold, size of Gold Dollar. Size 10. Less than 50 struck.
HK-372 - Silver, size of Gold Dollar. Less than 50 struck.
HK-373 - Bronze, size of Gold Dollar. Less than 50 struck.
HK-374 - Aluminum, size of Gold Dollar.

Image provided by Jonathan Brecher

ROBERT FULTON DOLLAR

As in case of Hendrik Hudson medals above, here again Elder sales catalogs are contradictory as to number of pieces issued in various metals. Medals below appear frequently in those sales and, in sale of Oct. 8, 1909, it was stated clearly that no large Silver (K-78) was struck at all. No mention ever is made of any small Brass (K-82), small Aluminum (K-83) or large Aluminum (not listed by Kenney) and no such pieces are known to authors. None of these four medals, therefore, is listed here. Gilt, in gold dollar size, is known and now represents addition to series previously reported. Gold, in gold dollar size, is known in both matte and bright finishes.

Obverse: Male bust facing part r.; above, around * Robert * Fulton * ; below bust 1809-1909; beaded border.
Reverse: Paddle-wheel steamship with sails; above, around * New York to Albany *; below ship The Clermont / H / One Trip; beaded border.

HK-375 - Gold, size of Gold Dollar. Size 10. Less than 75 struck.
HK-376 - Silver, size of Gold Dollar. Less than 50 struck.
HK-377 - Bronze, size of Gold Dollar. Less than 50 struck.
HK-378 - Gilt, size of Gold Dollar. Less than 25 struck.

Image provided by Jonathan Brecher

HUDSON-FULTON (COMBINED) DOLLARS

Research fails to establish origin of these issues.

Obverse: Conjoined mole busts facing l.; around Henry Hudson 1609 Robert Fulton 1807; below busts 1909
Reverse: Full female figure, arms outstretched, N. Y. skyline faintly in background; in r. hand of figure a miniature ship (Half Moon), in l. hand another ship (Clermont); to l. of figure, around ·Hudson · Fulton ·; to r. of figure, around Celebration N. Y.

HK-379 - Silver. Size 24.
HK-380 - Bronze.

Image provided by John Dean

Obverse: Conjoined male busts facing l.; to l. Hudson, to r. Fulton
Reverse: Conjoined circles; in l. circle is sailing ship with 1609 below; in r. circle is steamboat with 1807 below; above all Hudson-Fulton / small Celebration; below all 1909 / New- York Sep. 25. Oct. 9.

HK-381 - Bronze. Size 24.
HK-382 - White Metal.

Image provided by John Dean

Obverse: Sailing ship; below The Half Moon / 1609 1909; above ship, around In Commemoration of the Hudson-Fulton Celebration; beaded border.
Reverse: Steamship; below 1807-1909 / Fulton’s S. S. Clermont; above ship, around New York Sept. 25th to Oct. 9th; beaded border.

HK-383 - Bronze, Large Letters Obv. and Rev. Size 22.
HK-384 - Bronze, Small Letters Obv. and Rev. Size 22.
HK-385 - Aluminum, Small Letters Obv. and Rev.
NOTE: No Aluminum, Large Letters Obv. and Rev., known to authors; also there are minor differences in dies in Bronze, Large and Small Letter varieties, e.g. "1609 1909" are closer together in Large Letter specimens.