Lot 1708
1921. PCGS graded MS-65. CAC Approved. A choice example for this starting year of issue. Trace of light golden toning on both sides. A beautiful example of Anthony De Francisci's new design and the only affordable date struck in high relief. George T. Morgan, Mint Engraver at the time and whose own design had been replaced by De Francisci’s, lowered the relief of the electroplate model by hammering it with a flat board! The subsequent lower relief was used for the remaining issues of Peace Dollars, 1922 to 1935. Morgan elected to further cut down the relief by lessening the striking pressure on the coin presses, ostensibly to reduce die wear. In a similar fashion to the beautiful 1907 High Relief Double Eagles, De Francisci’s beautiful 1921 was thus greatly modified to adapt it to normal coin production. Unfortunately, it is impractical to strike each coin with several blows from the dies to bring up the high relief. It is also not practical to increase striking pressure to the point where the dies wear rapidly and breakage occurs. As with other high relief designs, the mint had to compromise the artist’s concept to meet the demands of efficient coin production (PCGS # 7356) Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600
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| Realized $2,415 |
