Lot 1029
1879 Pattern Dollar. Silver, reeded edge. PCGS graded Proof 68. Formerly Lot 602 in our October 2000 sale, where we described it as follows: "An electric coin that is graced by deep blue toning around the periphery, with fiery yellow and red hues on both sides. The centers are lighter, and this coin has probably been stored in National Coin pages for many years, as the toning is familiar to many coins we see that have been stored that way. The surfaces are immaculate, without signs of hairlines or contact, simply put, they are perfect. We can not imagine how a finer coin could come down to us, let alone an extremely rare pattern issue. This is confirmed in the PCGS Population Report, they have graded a single coin as Proof 61, 3 as Proof 63, 2 as Proof 64, and this lone Proof 68 monster coin. It is identifiable by a small untoned spot at the top right of the S of PLURIBUS. On the reverse, the colors stagger the imagination, the periphery is dark blue with flaming yellow highlights, the centers are deep blue with lavender highlights. Of course the strike is superb, and the quality of preservation simply can not be imagined. How did this coin survive, virtually as struck, all these years? The only signs of age are the dizzying array of colors from careful storage for decades. Somehow this one escaped the cleaning frenzy of the past decades, and remains exactly as it should, perfect in every way."
Little has changed in the PCGS Population Report since 2000; the numbers cited above remain unchanged. We should remind our readers, however, that the holder is of the old, green label version, confirming that this is a premium-quality example that offers a tantalizing shot at an upgrade.
Today, our opinion of this coin has changed only in the sense that we are even more impressed by it than we were two years ago! (PCGS # 61991) .
Estimated Value $50,000 - 70,000.
Ex: From the Wayne Miller Collection, last sold by us as Lot 602 in our October 2000 sale where it realized $29,900. Since that sale, the market for U.S. Patterns has more than doubled in value due to intense competition for pieces of top quality and rarity.
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