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1853 S$1 Restrike PR63 ANACS. This is an intrigui

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:19,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1853 S$1 Restrike PR63 ANACS. This is an intrigui
<B>1853<S$1> Restrike PR63 ANACS.</B></I> This is an intriguing coin for several reasons. First, according to the literature there were no proof Seated dollars struck in 1853. While commonly termed "restrikes," Bowers more accurately calls them novodels. That is, coins that were struck in a later year using backdated dies--coins for which no equivalent originals exists. According to the Bowers-Borckardt dollar reference (1993), the following die characteristics are seen on 1853 proof dollars:<BR><BR> 1. Slightly raised diagonal lines below the base of Liberty, beginning above the 8 in the date and extending for a short distance down to the right.<BR><BR> 2. Raised die lines through 853 in the date.<BR><BR> 3. Many minute raised die lines in the field; die incompletely polished.<BR><BR> 4. Microscopic raised die striae above the eagle.<BR><BR> 5. On the fourth vertical shield stripe the left two elements do not quite touch the border of the shield.<BR><BR> 6. A raised die line on the flat portion of the reverse rim above the left side of the N to the I in UNITED.<BR><BR> 7. In the vertical shield stripes, the upper right side of the fourth group of stripes seems to show traces of an extra stripe.<BR><BR> Frankly, we do not see evidence of any of the above diagnostics on this particular coin. Nevertheless, the texture of the piece is unmistakably that of a proof. The only logical conclusion that we can come to is that there must have been a second striking period for proof 1853 dollars other than the 1862-1863 time period that is generally accepted for the production of these coins. Close examination with a strong loupe does show minute die striations in the fields, but these are not pronounced enough in any one area to warrant mention as a diagnostic. What is curious is the presence of "whiskers" in the field below Liberty's chin, a characteristic known on business strikes of the 1853 and 1849, among other dates. The striking definition is nearly complete in all areas. The fields are deeply reflective throughout, and mottled golden-brown and blue toning is streaked over each side and interspersed with underlying brilliance.<BR><I>Ex: Pre-Long Beach Sale (Superior, 10/2000), lot 4394, where it brought $24,150.</B></I><BR><I>From The Dr. John L. Pellegrini Collection of Liberty Seated Dollars.</B></I>