5762

1861 $10 Clark, Gruber $10 White Metal Die Trial MS62

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1861 $10 Clark, Gruber $10 White Metal Die Trial MS62
<B>1861<$10> Clark, Gruber $10 White Metal Die Trial MS62 NGC.</B></I> K-11, R.8. In a reminiscence in a 1904 edition of <I>The Denver Times,</B></I> Emanuel Henry Gruber placed his former company in historical context and also dropped a major name in the development of the West: "When Horace Greeley came west in the early 60s, he visited our mint and, seeing the gold ingots lying on the counter, sent the following message to his paper in New York: 'Colorado is essentially a gold state. In the establishment of Clark, Gruber & Co. I saw immense quantities of gold bars lying on their counters. COME WEST."<BR> These pieces are allegedly struck on very thick planchets, as noted in the Kagin reference and the Clifford catalog. This extra thickness is actually noticeable on this coin even in the NGC holder. As with all Clark, Gruber trial pieces, this piece was struck without a collar. While the plastic holder prevents examination of the plain edge, it is obvious that no collar was used as the rim is very wide with a lip around the left portion of the rim on both obverse and reverse. This raised lip most likely represents a raised blob of metal beyond the end of the die. The surfaces are brighter than many white metal pieces and the original brightness is undiminished around the reverse devices. Otherwise, light to medium gray patina covers each side with a few grade-limiting marks on the face of Liberty. This die was obviously cut more deeply than the quarter eagle or half eagle dies, as Liberty's hair curls and the eagle's plumage show significantly stronger definition on this piece.