Lot 904
1838. Stars No Drapery. NGC graded MS-67 CAC Approved. A needle sharp strike with lovely rainbow toning on both sides. A wonderful example with great eye appeal. In an old holder. The father of this coin, Christian Gobrecht, must have been proud to see his first tentative coin drawings transformed into these beautiful Half Dimes and Dimes of 1837-1840. By using a blend of diaphanous dress and fine stars, combined with a leaning shield and curving LIBERTY ribbon, he succeeded better than any previous mint engraver in capturing the spirit of America's great calling. This lovely Stars, No Drapery 1838 nicely liberates that feeling. But beauty, like success, is fleeting; in 1840, the mint's officialdom in their finite wisdom decided Gobrecht's vision wasn't quite right. They commissioned Robert Ball Hughes to sanitize it. Imagine Gobrecht's mortification! He must have pinched his nose in disgust at the mauling his fragile design received on post-1840 coinage. Luckily, there are still a few gorgeous examples like the present Superb MS67 coin around to remind us of Gobrecht's proficiency, his genius, his vision. Pop 19; 7 finer.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500.
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| Realized $10,063 |
