Lot 2362
1853 Pattern Dollar. Copper, reeded edge. Proof 60 plus. One of approximately siz examples known of this Judd number, the finest being a toss-up between the NGC Proof-65 Red and Brown Judd plate coin and the Eliasberg example. This one would probably be in a 63 holder were it not for a tiny patch of pinscratches in the field just above Liberty's foot, where a misguided attempt to remove a spot failed. The reverse is nearly perfect except for a touch of weakness on the eagle's head and "shoulders", but the brilliance is dazzling and the color is a remarkable blend of rainbow iridescence. Aside from the afore-mentioned pinscratches, here are some markers for future identification: numerous lintmarks on both sides, but heavier on the obverse. The most prominent lintmark appears between the first and second stars. The obverse also has four shallow depressions: a tiny one just left of the base of the rock, one below the ninth star, another in the field left of the 11th and 12th stars, and one below the upper right point of the 13th star.
This "pattern" is really a die trial, struck from the same dies that were used to stike Proof 1853 Silver Dollars. Breen claims that all of the 1853 Proof Dollars (in both Silver and Copper versions) were made in 1862 or 1863; "they first came to collector notice in the McCoy sale (1964)." Regardless of when they were made, they are all extremely rare and desirable items today.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000.
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| Realized $8,338 |
