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The 'wear' on a coin never intended to circulate is a clue that it's not of noble origins.Read More: Counterfeit Detection SeriesThe Lafayette Dollar was struck to commemorate the contributions of Marquis de Lafayette, a renowned 18th century French nobleman who left his life of privilege in France to help the American colonies fight their British overlords.
See Also: Lafayette Memorial Silver Dollar Commemorative History, Facts, and SpecificationsWith his contributions in mind, when the United States was invited to participate in the Paris Exposition of 1900, leaders thought a fitting contribution would be a statue of the Revolutionary War hero. In order to help pay for the statue, the striking of 50,000 silver dollars honoring Lafayette was authorized. The coins were to be sold for twice their face value. In the end, only 36,000 pieces were sold, making this coin quite scarce and valuable today.
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