Lot 1230
1836 Pattern Dollar. Silver, Plain Edge. Judd-60 Rarity 1. Pollock-65. PCGS graded Proof 61. Original, Coin Alignment. Some scattered faint hairlines, none of which are worthy of mention. Lightly toned.
In December, 1836, the United States Mint at Philadelphia struck 1,000 Gobrecht Dollars for circulation. The coins weigh 416 grains, which continued the standard as enacted in the Coinage Act of 1792. These historic pieces are dated 1836 with C. GOBRECHT F. (F is an abbreviation for the Latin word Fecit, or "made it", and is found on the base of the rock on which Liberty is seated). Most are struck with the traditional "coin" turn. They clearly entered circulation, even though struck as Proofs, since many are found in worn condition today. High grade examples like this attractive Proof 61 are scarce and sought after. Since quite a few are found damaged, and this one is free from injury, we give it a double thumbs-up for any serious buyer who consider owning an example. Many believe these handsome coins to be the most desirable Gobrecht-designed pieces of them all, and are very rare for a circulation strike Proof quality United States coin.
Pop 22; 70 finer, 34 in 62, 1 in 62+, 22 in 63, 13 in 64 (PCGS # 11225) .
Historic Note: According to numismatic researcher, Jeff Garrett, "American silver dollars were first struck in 1794, having been authorized by an act of Congress on April 2, 1792. Weight and fineness were specified at 416 grains and .8924 fine silver. The first type of silver dollar struck was the Flowing Hair issue of 1794 and 1795. A 1794 silver dollar recently made international headlines when it was old at auction for over $10 million dollars. Draped Bust Silver dollars were struck from 1795 to 1803. Mintage records for 1804 show that 19,570 silver dollars were struck that year. It was common practice in those days to use dies as long as they were serviceable, and it is likely that all silver dollars struck in 1804 were actually dated 1803. The famous silver dollars of 1804 were actually struck decades later for presentation purposes.
"The production of silver dollars was suspended in the United States starting in 1806. (President Thomas Jefferson's order to stop dollar production was in 1806, thus dollars were struck in 1804 and 1805!) The demand for American silver dollars was met in a large degree by the Spanish 8 reales, also called a piece of eight, the equivalent of the U.S. Dollar. These coins circulated in the United States widely and are often found along with American coinage in any shipwreck or hoard find of the period. In 1835 the Mint Director, R.M. Patterson, ordered engraver Christian Gobrecht to create dies based on the designs of Thomas Sulley and Titian Peale. After some experimentation, dies were created for the first issue of Gobrecht silver dollars. Gobrecht Silver dollars fall into three basic categories - Circulation and Original Issues, Patterns and finally Restrikes. The coins are also struck in either a coin turn orientation or a medal turn orientation. This means that when the coin is turned over the eagle is either right side up (coin turn orientation) or upside down (medal turn orientation). To further complicate matters, Gobrecht silver dollars are found with two basic die alignments. The die alignment means that when the coin is turned over, the eagle is either flying upward or level.".
Estimated Value $20,000 - 22,000.
|
| |
| Unsold |
