Washington Monument & Miscellaneous National

About This Coin

Commemorating the completion of the Washington Monument and various other national milestones, this grouping of so-called dollars captures a period of intense patriotic medal production during the late 19th century. The Washington Monument, completed in 1884 after decades of construction delays, inspired a wave of medallic tributes celebrating the 555-foot obelisk as a permanent tribute to the father of the nation. These so-called dollars typically feature the monument's distinctive profile on one side, with portraits of Washington, allegorical figures, or dedication ceremony imagery on the reverse. The "Miscellaneous National" component encompasses so-called dollars marking other federal milestones — government building dedications, national anniversary celebrations, and patriotic events that did not fit neatly into the exposition or state commemorative subcategories. The diversity of issuers within this grouping — ranging from the U.S. Mint to private medal firms and civic organizations — produces a range of artistic quality from refined die engraving to simpler commercial work. Within the National Commemorative & Expo So-Called Dollars series, these pieces document the physical transformation of Washington, D.C., into a monumental capital and the growing culture of commemorative medal collecting during the Gilded Age. A notable auction result reached $6.6K in MS67 grade at Heritage Auctions, underscoring the collector premium for exceptional examples.