Red Book Podcast: Rare & Undervalued? Yes! The So-Called Dollars Most Collectors Miss! [Video]

In this episode of the Red Book Podcast, host Jeff Garrett sits down with So-Called Dollar expert and dealer Jeff Shevlin to explore one of the most interesting and overlooked areas of coin collecting.

So-Called Dollars are historically important medals, generally about the size of a silver dollar, that commemorate events in American history. But as Jeff Shevlin explains, these aren't simply ordinary medals—they can feature incredible artwork, famous engravers, fascinating historical stories, extreme rarity, and surprisingly affordable prices.

The conversation covers everything from Augustus Saint-Gaudens and George Morgan to the Erie Canal, World's Fairs, the Columbian Exposition, Fort Sumter, and the Wilson Dollar.

Jeff Garrett and Jeff Shevlin also discuss why grading and population reports have changed the market, how collectors can get started, and why rare So-Called Dollars can offer dramatically more rarity for the money than many expensive U.S. coins. One incredible example is the 1826 gold Erie Canal medal. Only a handful were struck, with just two known in private collections according to the interview, and examples have sold for tens of thousands of dollars—and as much as $200,000.

You'll also hear about a recently discovered gold Wilson Dollar that reportedly sold for around $35,000, plus strategies for building your own “Box of 20” collection.