1 Dollar William McKinley

This piece was not struck for circulation. Authorized under the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Act of 1902, it was produced specifically for sale at the St. Louis World's Fair — though the fair itself didn't open until 1904. Congress authorized two designs, one honoring Jefferson as the initiator of the Louisiana Purchase and one honoring McKinley, who had been assassinated just two years prior. Both types were struck in 1903 and sold at a dollar premium over face value to fund the exposition.

The McKinley type sold poorly relative to expectations, leaving the issuing committee with substantial unsold inventory.