@ricko said:
Very interesting... Does 'uncertified' mean that there is no traceable history available? Or only that it is not a U.S. Mint product? Cheers, RickO
I believe "uncertified" means not professionally graded.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@ricko said:
Very interesting... Does 'uncertified' mean that there is no traceable history available? Or only that it is not a U.S. Mint product? Cheers, RickO
I believe "uncertified" means not professionally graded.
Just imagine the PCGS slab required to house that thing!
@coinJP said:
Way cool!! Definitely a Robert Bashlow die because the small s at the bottom. This reverse die was used to strike the silver "restrikes".
@coinJP said:
Way cool!! Definitely a Robert Bashlow die because the small s at the bottom. This reverse die was used to strike the silver "restrikes".
Bingo!
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
Kind of coincidentally, I bought this at a show last fall and haven't got back to it to figure out how Baslow and Dickeson factor in. I did see a thread or post from @CaptHenway a while back but have not sorted out what I have. The silver piece does have the S.
Sorry for the unedited cell photos, they were taken in a hurry. Stickers on the holder were placed there by the dealer, no idea whether they are correct.
It would be kind of cool to own the reverse die.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
@Cameonut said:
Kind of coincidentally, I bought this at a show last fall and haven't got back to it to figure out how Baslow and Dickeson factor in. I did see a thread or post from @CaptHenway a while back but have not sorted out what I have. The silver piece does have the S.
Sorry for the unedited cell photos, they were taken in a hurry. Stickers on the holder were placed there by the dealer, no idea whether they are correct.
It would be kind of cool to own the reverse die.
It's unusual for exonumia of ANY type to sell for over 100K. I wonder if there's a story here. Could the buyer (and underbidder?) have thought that it was a 1776 original?
I was just stunned at the final price last night as everyone else – the listing clearly says restrike so I’m assuming that the buyer is going to use it to at least strike some more pieces - I was happy with the other dies that sold too -not just the defaced common dies, but some of the other dies I’ve accumulated over the past 40–50 years
Heritage certainly gets the “eyes“,!…… And the strong bids!
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
@FredWeinberg said:
I was just stunned at the final price last night as everyone else – the listing clearly says restrike so I’m assuming that the buyer is going to use it to at least strike some more pieces - I was happy with the other dies that sold too -not just the defaced common dies, but some of the other dies I’ve accumulated over the past 40–50 years
Heritage certainly gets the “eyes“,!…… And the strong bids!
When I first saw these I was wondering how the defaced common dies would do since there were multiple examples. Glad it worked out.
mikebyers.com Dealer in Major Mint Errors, Die Trials & Patterns - Author of NLG Best World Coin Book World's Greatest Mint Errors - Publisher & Editor of minterrornews.com.
@FredWeinberg said:
I was just stunned at the final price last night as everyone else – the listing clearly says restrike so I’m assuming that the buyer is going to use it to at least strike some more pieces
$100K is a lot to pay for a die to strike some more pieces. I bet that @dcarr could create a brand new die of matching quality for "a whole lot less".
I want to say that it was a bidding mistake, and someone is going to be unhappy. It's hard to explain two bidders at that level, though.
For comparison, Heritage sold an original silver Washington Before Boston medal last year for $99K. I count 12 other sales in the Tokens and Medals category at Heritage over $100K -- 5 Indian Peace Medals, 4 gold, and 3 Colonial-era pieces.
@Maywood said:
Un-freaking-believable, this die hammered at $102k with the juice!!!
Great googely-moogely!
That is insane!
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
@FredWeinberg said:
I was just stunned at the final price last night as everyone else – the listing clearly says restrike so I’m assuming that the buyer is going to use it to at least strike some more pieces - I was happy with the other dies that sold too -not just the defaced common dies, but some of the other dies I’ve accumulated over the past 40–50 years
Heritage certainly gets the “eyes“,!…… And the strong bids!
Fred, go out and buy yourself a lottery ticket!
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
What astounds me is that the cost for making new extremely high quality dies is under $2,000. I don't see any logic behind the idea of using this die to make restrikes and ever getting your money back. My only thought is that the buyer thought it was the original die for one of the 1776 Continental Dollars. A little research (e.g., Newman's "Colonial and Early American Coins") would have shown that this die was not an original.
Heritage has been getting a lot of feedback from that sale but they have assured me that the winning bidder is a client well known to them and it’s a legitimate bid
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
To anyone who might not understand, the die can be traced to Bashlow/Bowers and their re-strikes simply because of the "S" MM at the bottom of the die. It's clearly visible so there was no deception and should have been no misunderstanding. It's quite historical for that reason alone, I was interested because it can be tied to those specific medals. When I first saw it I hoped it had a Provenance to Elder and then back to Dickeson, that would have been cool.
I think it just went to a specialty collector who appreciates it as much as I do and can afford that high price. Lest everyone forget, the final bid was at $85k(minus the juice) and at least one other bidder helped propel it to that level.
I can remember when an 1804 Dollar first sold for $100,000 and everybody got all excited...........
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
Thanks for that great thought Broadstruck -actually broke even and even made a bit
after the Stella cost!
It almost took four decades!
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
Congratulations to you on the auction of your Continental restrike die! You deserve it!!
I wonder if it garnered more because of your provenance as the famed owner of that die or the Continental Dollar history itself?
Still holding onto your 1872 Carson City Mint cancelled die which suffered for so long in the ground in Carson City that I want it to enjoy continued retirement instead of putting it back to work creating restrikes. .
@Byers said:
U.S. dies are finally coming into their own…
@FredWeinberg said:
Thanks for that great thought Broadstruck -actually broke even and even made a bit
after the Stella cost!
It almost took four decades!
Congratulations to you on the auction of your Continental restrike die! You deserve it!!
I wonder if it garnered more because of your provenance as the famed owner of that die or the Continental Dollar history itself?
Still holding onto your 1872 Carson City Mint cancelled die which suffered for so long in the ground in Carson City that I want it to enjoy continued retirement instead of putting it back to work creating restrikes. .
If Fred's c. 1961 Continental Dollar copy die is worth $102,000, then your 1872-CC Double eagle die should be worth:
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
If we assume that somebody bought it with intent to use it for more restrikes, say perhaps for the 2026 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I wonder how many strikes it would be good for before it broke?
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
Comments
Very interesting... Does 'uncertified' mean that there is no traceable history available? Or only that it is not a U.S. Mint product? Cheers, RickO
I believe "uncertified" means not professionally graded.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@MFeld.... Thanks Mark, I had thought of that possibility. Cheers, RickO
That is just too cool!
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Way cool!! Definitely a Robert Bashlow die because the small s at the bottom. This reverse die was used to strike the silver "restrikes".
Just imagine the PCGS slab required to house that thing!
Surprised this was not mentioned in the listing.
Bingo!
Kind of coincidentally, I bought this at a show last fall and haven't got back to it to figure out how Baslow and Dickeson factor in. I did see a thread or post from @CaptHenway a while back but have not sorted out what I have. The silver piece does have the S.


Sorry for the unedited cell photos, they were taken in a hurry. Stickers on the holder were placed there by the dealer, no idea whether they are correct.
It would be kind of cool to own the reverse die.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Yes those are 1960s Bashlow restrikes.
Un-freaking-believable, this die hammered at $102k with the juice!!!
Is that a record price for a US medal die?
I also wonder whether we will see some restrikes of some sort.
It's unusual for exonumia of ANY type to sell for over 100K. I wonder if there's a story here. Could the buyer (and underbidder?) have thought that it was a 1776 original?
I was just stunned at the final price last night as everyone else – the listing clearly says restrike so I’m assuming that the buyer is going to use it to at least strike some more pieces - I was happy with the other dies that sold too -not just the defaced common dies, but some of the other dies I’ve accumulated over the past 40–50 years
Heritage certainly gets the “eyes“,!…… And the strong bids!
When I first saw these I was wondering how the defaced common dies would do since there were multiple examples. Glad it worked out.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wwmUMvhy-lY - Pink Me And Bobby McGee
.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=D0FPxuQv2ns - Ruby Starr (from 'Go Jim Dandy') Maybe I'm Amazed
RLJ 1958 - 2023
U.S. dies are finally coming into their own…
$100K is a lot to pay for a die to strike some more pieces. I bet that @dcarr could create a brand new die of matching quality for "a whole lot less".
I want to say that it was a bidding mistake, and someone is going to be unhappy. It's hard to explain two bidders at that level, though.
For comparison, Heritage sold an original silver Washington Before Boston medal last year for $99K. I count 12 other sales in the Tokens and Medals category at Heritage over $100K -- 5 Indian Peace Medals, 4 gold, and 3 Colonial-era pieces.
Great googely-moogely!
That is insane!
Fred, go out and buy yourself a lottery ticket!
What astounds me is that the cost for making new extremely high quality dies is under $2,000. I don't see any logic behind the idea of using this die to make restrikes and ever getting your money back. My only thought is that the buyer thought it was the original die for one of the 1776 Continental Dollars. A little research (e.g., Newman's "Colonial and Early American Coins") would have shown that this die was not an original.
I think I heard Fred say drinks are on him at the next show...
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
Heritage has been getting a lot of feedback from that sale but they have assured me that the winning bidder is a client well known to them and it’s a legitimate bid
To anyone who might not understand, the die can be traced to Bashlow/Bowers and their re-strikes simply because of the "S" MM at the bottom of the die. It's clearly visible so there was no deception and should have been no misunderstanding. It's quite historical for that reason alone, I was interested because it can be tied to those specific medals. When I first saw it I hoped it had a Provenance to Elder and then back to Dickeson, that would have been cool.
I think it just went to a specialty collector who appreciates it as much as I do and can afford that high price. Lest everyone forget, the final bid was at $85k(minus the juice) and at least one other bidder helped propel it to that level.
Congratulation, Fred!!
WTG @FredWeinberg looks like you finally got made whole on that $4 Stella
I can remember when an 1804 Dollar first sold for $100,000 and everybody got all excited...........
Thanks for that great thought Broadstruck -actually broke even and even made a bit
after the Stella cost!
It almost took four decades!
Fred,
Congratulations to you on the auction of your Continental restrike die! You deserve it!!
I wonder if it garnered more because of your provenance as the famed owner of that die or the Continental Dollar history itself?
Still holding onto your 1872 Carson City Mint cancelled die which suffered for so long in the ground in Carson City that I want it to enjoy continued retirement instead of putting it back to work creating restrikes. .
You were the winner in the long run.
there goes the profit!
If Fred's c. 1961 Continental Dollar copy die is worth $102,000, then your 1872-CC Double eagle die should be worth:
A U.S. die would infer it is a government issue, not a private issue.
Over the moon price IMO.
Looks like we've officially entered "irrational exuberance" territory.
Holey Moley!!! I was thinking $5,000-$10,000 tops. Congrats Fred!!
If we assume that somebody bought it with intent to use it for more restrikes, say perhaps for the 2026 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I wonder how many strikes it would be good for before it broke?