Lot 3146
1852 Pattern Gold Dollar. Gold, plain edge, thin planchet. PCGS graded Proof 65. PCGS #13819129. Very choice for the grade. Sixteen years after America's first Pattern gold dollar actually struck in gold, the mint released to a small group of insiders this genuinely handsome design for a proposed annular or ring dollar dated 1852. Struck in Proof, fresh golden mirror-like fields support boldly hypnotic devices on this fresh-appearing coin. Almost everyone likes to seek a Pattern coin that was struck with precision and care by the dies in the outer margins and on all legends that you'd expect; here too, the inner pattern designs were also left crisply detailed by the imprint of the dies. Once viewed, there is no forgetting this handsome piece. And once sold, it may be lost sight of again for years, perhaps decades! A rare opportunity for the Pattern coin collector. Pop 6; 2 finer in 66. (PCGS # 11604) .
During this period the silver coins were disappearing from circulation due to the fact that they contained more bullion than their face value. Hence there was a demand for gold coins of the dollar and half-dollar denomination. Researcher Walter Breen found in the Archives a letter from the Director of the Mint, George N. Eckert, to Senator R. M. T. Hunter dated January 27, 1852, which shows that the half-dollar and larger ring-gold dollar were the first pieces made.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
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| Realized $24,725 |
