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[L#0910] 1921 Peace $1 NGC PF64 Satin Pop: 6/1

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:30,000.00 USD Estimated At:50,000.00 - 100,000.00 USD
[L#0910] 1921 Peace $1 NGC PF64 Satin Pop: 6/1
A beautiful example of Anthony De Francisci's new design and the only date available in high relief. George T. Morgan, Mint Engraver at the time and whose own design had been replaced by De Francisci's, lowered the relief of the electroplate model by hammering it with a flat board! The subsequent lower relief was used for the remaining issues of Peace Dollars, 1922 to 1935. Morgan elected to further cut down the relief by lessening the striking pressure on the coin presses, ostensibly to reduce die wear. In a similar fashion to the beautiful 1907 High Relief Double Eagles, De Francisci's beautiful 1921 was thus greatly modified to adapt it to normal coin production. Unfortunately, it is impractical to strike each coin with several blows from the dies to bring up the high relief. It is also not practical to increase striking pressure to the point where the dies wear rapidly and breakage occurs. As with other high relief designs, the mint had to compromise the artist's concept to meet the demands of efficient coin production.

This is one of the impressive (and extremely rare) Satin Finish Proofs of the first year of issue, a coin legendary among Silver Dollar collectors and one whose surface preservation is astounding to behold. Words escapes us when trying to translate the visual experience of studying it onto a computer, since only first-hand knowledge of all its beauty and variability of design and master workmanship can provide an understanding. But it is our task to paint in words a picture of this remarkable coin, and so we point to the photograph and ask you to trace along with us as well expound. First off, the strike is razor-sharp and unlike your typical production coin meant for circulation. Each hair strand is complete, each feather in the eagle's majestic body stands out fully. The field is slightly beveled (which is why it was impossible for George T. Morgan's technicians to polish it with the traditional "mirror finish" seen on Morgan silver dollar Proofs. Instead, he used a wonderful blend of satin and luster finish, leaving the hydraulic press (which undoubtedly was used to strike the coin) to do the rest. Morgan dollars required about 150 tons to the square inch of pressure to strike. Regular, low relief Peace Dollars of 1922-35 probably required somewhat less oomph. As for the high reliefs of 1921, no records seem to exist as to how much effort it took, but we can guess that it stressed the equipment and put undue strain on the dies to make such bold relief. This coin, like no others before it, belongs on a pedestal in the Numismatic Hall of a museum. Either that, or a connoisseur's own private portfolio museum of landmark coins. In closing, we give the NGC holder number for those who like to keep a close eye on all the remaining Proofs of this important 1921 High Relief year: 1775281-004.