Lot 1032
1879 Pattern Goloid Metric Dollar. Copper, reeded edge. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. A beautiful Pattern piece, essentially full red in color. Obverse and reverse designs never adopted. Housed in an old, green-label holder. PCGS reports 2 in MS-65 Red (quite possibly the same coin submitted twice).
"Goloid" refers to the unusual mix of gold, silver, and copper intended for actual coinage, this being a pure copper version. The "Metric" refers to the system of weights (grams) used on these coins. Beginning with the Act of 1873, the Mint began an active campaign to introduce and utilize the metric system on American coins. The first efforts were directed at coins already in circulation (the arrowheads on the 1874 Dimes, Quarters, and Half Dollars all point to the conversion of the weight from grains to grams). The first coin to bear the word "grams" was Bickford's "UBIQUE" Eagle of 1874. In 1878, mixed efforts continued, but it was not until 1879 that the Mint really began to explore the possibilities of converting to the metric system. This Goloid Metric Dollar is one result, as are the amazing Stellas and Quintuple Stellas. More attempts were made in 1880, but by 1881, all efforts were dropped and the word "gram" never appeared on a Pattern coin again!
Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000.
|
| |
| Realized $9,488 |
