1928

1921 Peace Dollar

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
1921 Peace Dollar
<B>1921 Peace Dollar.</B> <B>NGC graded Matte Proof 65.</B> <B>Pop 2; None higher; only 3 graded by NGC; 1 in 62; 2 in 65.</B> Never had a circulating U.S. coin been designed for peace when a proposal was made shortly after the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended World War I, by Farran Zerbe at the ANA Convention in Chicago of 1920. Zerbe proposed a peace commemorative for a new half dollar, or should silver dollar coinage be resumed a new silver dollar instead. The ANA&#39;s enthusiasm was such that a committee was formed to submit a bill to Congress. On May 9, 1921 Morgan Dollar coinage resumed, on that same day a bill was submitted proposing a new &#34;Peace&#34; design. The bill languished while Congress adjourned because of a single objection and ensuing debate. Later, it was discovered that approval of the Peace dollar did not need Congressional blessing, as the Morgan design had been current well over its statutory 25 year tenure. Thus, the Federal Commission of Fine Arts announced a design competition on November 23, 1921 and invited eight of the nations leading sculptors to submit models. The winner was Anthony de Francisci, who submitted a lovely rendering of his wife as Ms. Liberty wearing a radiant crown similar to several Roman coins, and the reverse with an eagle breaking a sword, for disarmament &#40;Isaiah 2:4&#41;. The design was publicized on December 19, 1921, the same day Congress approved his models, only to meet with howls of raging protest from officials. Somehow, the powers that be insisted the breaking of the sword implied defeat, not peace or victory! Due to these objections, Mint Engraver George Morgan altered Francisci&#39;s reverse design, remodeled the eagle, minus the sword and arrows but with the olive branch of peace, placed the eagle on a mountain peak inscribed PEACE. Hastily approved, Morgan&#39;s changed were even more hastily rendered into working hubs and dies in high relief, and 1,006,473 were struck December 26 to 31, 1921. A messenger delivered one to President Harding on January 3, others the same day to the Secretary of Treasury and Director of the Mint. These coins were probably the matte or satin finish Proofs.<BR><BR>It is likely that the approval for coinage was based on these lovely Proof issues, and not from production coinage. Soon the Mint found that the high relief coins of 1921 were causing unexpected die breakage and were weak at the centers, as the Mint turned down the striking pressure to extend die life. Morgan, who was upset that his design had been superseded, lowered the relief on the electroplate model by pounding it down with a board and hammer! Thus, the high relief coins were once again &#40;like the 1907 double eagles&#41; greatly reduced in relief, allowing dies to last longer, and striking pressure to be greatly reduced. The sad result is the uninspiring low relief coins which are greatly diminished from the original concept designs of the artist. These Proof pieces stand as the only remnants of the glorious de Francisci design. All are extremely rare and desirable, and all collectors would do themselves a favor to study each of these coins to view these historic rarities offered individually.<BR><BR>The example offered here boasts exceptional surfaces throughout. The fine sandblasting effect used gives the coin an even silvery gray color, with the periphery showing slight toning at the extreme edge. Sharply impressed by the dies, with incredible device detail over Liberty&#39;s ear and on the reverse eagle high points never seen on the production-run 1921 high reliefs. Breen notes that 6-8 are known; of these, one is located at the Smithsonian, another impounded at the ANS, making very few available for collectors. We&#39;re not sure if this is the Col. Green coin, Lester Merkin, 6/71 or the former Kagin example. Naturally, this coin carries its own credentials. NGC notes this coin alone in its grade category, with another graded Proof 62 below. PCGS h as not graded any 1921 Peace dollars in Proof. <BR>Estimated Value &#36;30,000-35,000. <BR><BR>Our item number 88643<BR><IMAGES><P ALIGN="CENTER"><IMG SRC="http://216.67.248.213/liveauction/34jpegs/088643.jpg"> <BR><IMG SRC="http://216.67.248.213/liveauction/34jpegs/088643N2.jpg"> </P></IMAGES>