Lot 2717
1838 Pattern Dollar. Silver, reeded edge. Restrike. The obverse has been cleaned while the reverse is nice and brilliant. Of the three basic years of Gobrecht dollars, regular issues and patterns combined, those being 1836, 1838, and 1839, the most elusive is the 1838 as offered here. According to our close examination, this piece also shows extra bold detail on all relief portions, needle-sharp on the eagle's feathers, wings, head and claws, and similar incredible detail present on Liberty. Her hair, drapery folds, shield, all impress us with their frosted relief (PCGS # 11352) .
All 1838 dollars that have been observed in private hands or museum holdings appear to be restrikes made in the late 1850s under the authority of Director James Ross Snowden, or in the late 1860s by Director Henry R. Linderman. Like the present specimen, the restrikes were made to satisfy collector demand for these beautiful coins. The restrikes are generally found in Die Alignment III orientation (i.e., head of Liberty opposite NE of ONE) as on this coin; however, a few restrikes were also made in Die Alignment IV. Although the precise mintage of 1838 dollars is unknown due to their clandestine origin, recent estimates suggest that fewer than 250 coins were ultimately produced, and that only a small fraction of these coins survive today.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000.
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| Realized $17,825 |
