Lot 1648
1836 Pattern Gold Dollar. Gold, plain edge. Judd-67. Pollock-70. Rarity 5. NGC graded Proof 64+ Cameo. CAC Approved. PQ. A brilliant gem. Only 5 struck. A simple but beautiful design on a coin that is the historic predecessor of the 1849-1889 series of Gold Dollars. The obverse depicts a Liberty cap. Around it, a "glory" sunrays, which has a likeness to contemporary Mexican gold pieces of this decade. The reverse has the denomination "1 D." within a palm frond; date is below and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arching above. Christian Gobrecht, the mint’s talented engraver, is behind this attractive design. Struck in gold alloy with a plain edge, Judd-67 Pattern has significant historical ramifications, being the proto-Federal gold dollar Pattern as well as the first Pattern to be struck in gold. This bright golden specimen display cameo contrast over near-gem quality mirror fields; furthermore, we report a needle-sharp strike and reflective, smooth fields, while the reverse, in keeping with the overall excellence, displays bold a device as well. Pop 1; 4 finer, 3 in 65, 1 in 66.
Historic Note for 1836: This year is notable for the appearance of Patterns for two denominations which were not regularly issued until many years later, the two-cent piece and the gold dollar.
Engraver Christian Gobrecht interrupted his work on the second obverse of the silver dollar named after him to make the simple dies for the Pattern gold dollar. The dies were completed and specimens struck before March 14, 1836, for a letter of that date from the Director to the Secretary of the Treasury enclosed a specimen in gold.
This year also marks the beginning of coinage with the steam press. Estimated Value $19,000 - 21,000.
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Realized $27,025 |