Lot 1807
1869 Pattern Dime. Silver, reeded edge. Judd-696. Pollock-775, Rarity-5. PCGS graded Proof 65. Deeply toned with shades of blue and lilac gray on both sides, even from edge to center. Fully struck by the dies, with no sign of weakness to be found. Further, the surfaces are pristine, which is remarkable for this pattern issue. PCGS has graded 8 this high, with none graded higher although this one must have been close. A great many "standard silver" issues were struck of various die combinations as the experiments continued under the laudanum days of the Mint's favorite druggist, Robert Coulton Davis, who used his influential mixture to obtain just about anything he wanted from the Mint. Meanwhile, Congress was being given many delightful choices as the engravers produced dozens of pattern coins as proposals for changing the then current designs. Most went without much notice, but today provide collectors with dozens of fanciful pieces to represent what might have been (PCGS # 60921) .
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Hollinbeck Stamp & Coin Company's auction on December 8, 1945, lot 1555 for $9.
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| Realized $1,783 |
