Lot 1330
1839 Pattern Dollar. Silver, Reeded Edge. Judd-104. Pollock-116 Rarity 3. NGC graded Proof 64. Well struck and untoned. Except for a few presentation pieces, most "original" 1839 dollars were intentionally placed into circulation at face value and therefore numismatists of the present consider them to be regular issue coins and not patterns, although they are listed in the Judd and Pollock reference books as such. Today, many 1839 dollars are found in circulated, impaired, or damaged condition. The present 1839 dollar has gorgeous high-end qualities that shows it was in numismatic stewardship since it was minted.
The issue is often collected with the Seated Dollars (1840-73), so we placed it there instead of with the pattern issues. The obverse is by Christian Gobrecht with the seated Liberty design, the reverse is an eagle in full flight with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and ONE DOLLAR around. The strike is as crisp as a Minnesota Winter morning, and the surface must be seen to be appreciated. Full gleaming mirrors. Needle-sharp detail on Liberty and eagle. High perfect rims. And not a single sign of mishandling anywhere. This is the more common die alignment, and these are believed to be restrikes circa 1858 or later during the "high" flying Robert Coulton Davis years of free flowing laudanum for Mint employees, who supplied Mr. Davis with various delicacies from the Mint's die library. We should praise these early indiscretions at the Mint, for many of our more popular coins were "made to order" during the free wheeling days before the various scandals broke, and the "restrikes" were brought under control, at least for awhile. A resplendent example for the Silver Dollar connoisseur! Pop 17; 11 finer, 9 in 65, 2 in 66 (PCGS # 11446) .
Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000.
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| Realized $43,700 |
