7282

1836 PS$1 Name on Base, Judd-60 Restrike, Pollock-60, R.

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:3,400.00 - 5,750.00 USD
1836 PS$1 Name on Base, Judd-60 Restrike, Pollock-60, R.
1836 PS$1 Name on Base, Judd-60 Restrike, Pollock-60, R.<p>2-3--Cleaned--ANACS. Proof, Net PR50. Die Alignment II. Plain Edge. Silver. Minted in March of 1837. The head of Liberty is nearly opposite the second S in STATES with the eagle flying onward and upward after a medallic-turn (rotation around the coin's vertical axis)--Walter Breen's definition of Die Alignment II. The official mintage of 1837 is 600 pieces; however, not all 600 coins made in 1837 were struck in Die Alignment II. Most of the mintage of 1837 was actually made in Die Alignment IV. According to a recent theory proposed by Carboneau and Gray, the 1837 mintage started out in Die Alignment II, but because of an accidental rotation of one of the two dies during the minting process, an entire sequence of Gobrecht Dollars were made with different reverse die orientations. Die Alignment II was the initial orientation and Die Alignment IV the final one. Of the 600 coins reported for March 1837, about 100 are estimated to have been struck with Die Alignment II, the remainder of the 1837 mintage consisting of Die Alignment IV and intermediate alignment coins. This means that Gobrecht Dollars made in Die Alignment II are very scarce and difficult to locate. In fact, Carboneau and Gray point out that they have seen only 10 Gobrecht Dollars in Die Alignment II in eight years of observation. The Gobrecht Dollars of 1837 are one of the few U.S. coins intentionally made with a medallic orientation. The ANACS label identifies this coin as a restrike, and technically it is; however, most numismatists (including Walter Breen) classify the 1837 Gobrecht Dollars as "second originals" since they are an official mint issue (although dated 1836). The term "first originals" is reserved for the 1,000 Dollars made in December 1836 and issued in Die Alignment I. Although the Dollars made in 1837 were struck as proofs, all of these coins were deposited with the Bank of the United States for public distribution; and therefore, are classified as a "circulation issue." In this sense, the Dollars of 1836 and 1837 represent "regular business strikes," regardless of their proof format. This is a rather unconventional situation; on the one hand the Gobrecht Dollars are proofs, but on the other hand there is some justification in calling them Mint State coins. All in all a rather confusing and unique situation; nevertheless, in this case Gobrecht Dollars are the exception to the general rule. This is just one of the many paradoxes surrounding this popular series. Although Gobrecht Dollars were originally made with a proof finish, and are listed in the Judd and Pollock pattern books, it is now becoming increasingly accepted that the Dollars made in 1836, 1837, and 1839 are standard issue coins produced for circulation, and therefore are not patterns. Today, most Gobrecht Dollars are found with some degree of wear, indicative of circulation and are often found with other more severe types of damage. In general, the impaired proof state is the typical situation for most Gobrecht Dollars made in 1836 and 1837, including this coin. The coin in this sale is an impaired proof specimen with several small surface flaws. There is also evidence that this coin has been cleaned at least once. There are also two pronounced cracks on the obverse that appear to be planchet flaws. The first crack angles up and to the left in the left obverse field while the second crack is located to the left of Liberty's head. These two cracks are irregular in shape and not always a solid line. The present coin exhibits several curious toning streaks that are adjacent or near the obverse cracks but do not cross them. The obverse toning streaks might be explained as being associated with rubber bands placed around the coin; something that was not uncommon in the past to hold together a small collection of coins. This explanation is consistent with the observation that the toning streaks, although present on the obverse, are not seen on the reverse. Finally, there is a small area of russet toning found on the reverse side near the rim, between 3 and 6 o'clock. Overall, the present coin represents a rare opportunity to obtain a Gobrecht Dollar from the Issue of 1837, and a coin in the scarce Die Alignment II orientation. The Gobrecht Dollars are a fascinating, sometimes perplexing, but always a popular series of coins.From the Keith McIntosh Collection. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per hour. Sometimes eBay Premier live bid software cannot keep up with that pace, so we strongly recommend that you place a realistic proxy bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Also please note that all Heritage/CAA lots purchased through eBay Premier carry a 20% Buyer's Premium.