NNP

1836 P$1 Name on Base, Judd-60 Original, Pollock-65, R.5, PR64 NGC. CAC. Silver. Plain Edge. Die Alignment IV (center of Liberty's head opposite the right side of F in OF). Die State H. This is the final die state for Die Alignment IV Gobrecht dollars. All the die markers are clear, including the diagonal die clash mark above the eagle's wing, the die scratch through the O in ONE, the rim nick above the second A in AMERICA, and the rim nick above the U in UNITED. Account books show that the Mint struck all Judd-60 dollars in the final week of 1836. From the advanced state of this die, it is obvious this was in a small group of dollars struck at the end of that last week of the year. All 1836 Gobrecht dollars are proof strikings; however, few show significant depth of reflectivity in the fields. In fact, although many display only semiprooflike mirroring, this piece shows deep mirroring on each side. The centers are largely untoned, while the margins display bright russet-rose and blue patina. Strike details are strong overall, and the foot of Liberty is noticeably more-well defined than usually seen. Few other areas of numismatics have been the subject of such controversy and radical revision as Gobrecht dollars. The findings of John Dannreuther, Saul Teichman, and Craig Sholley rendered early studies obsolete. Their findings resulted from close examination of dozens of Gobrecht dollars, especially those from the collection nearly 100 pieces of Dr. Julius Korein, now permanently housed in the ANS in New York City. One of the findings of the DTS (Dannreuther, Teichman, Sholley) researchers is that die alignments do not progress smoothly from Die Alignment I to II, then IV to III, as expected. Instead, the emission sequence went from DA I to IV, then to II, back to IV, then back to I, and finally ending in IV again. The progression of minuscule rim anomalies on the reverse tells the exact sequence of production of the 1836 Gobrecht dollars. In the case of this particular piece, it was one of the final coins struck at the end of the production run. This is among the finest Gobrecht dollars known. NGC has certified only five other pieces in PR64, a mere two coins are finer (both are PR65), and PCGS has never graded a finer example. CAC has endorsed only two other pieces in PR64, and neither of the two higher-graded dollars are CAC certified. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $40.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15097, realized $84000. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.