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A high grade 1839 Gobrecht Dollar

BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,978 ✭✭✭✭✭

I bought this piece a last's week's "Great American Collectables Show" that was held in Tampa. I didn't come to the show with this piece in mind, but I had been looking at them for a number of years. This is the rarer "second type" of Gobrecht Dollars with 13 stars on the obverse and the eagle on the reverse flying in a clear field.

Gobrecht modified his design after the powers in charge decided that the "No Stars" half dimes and dimes didn't look right. He also removed his signature from the base of the Liberty Seated design.

This piece is an alignment III restrike. I have been unable to find the die breaks on this piece that label it as a restrike, but maybe it's just me. If it had been an alignment IV coin (the obverse and reverse dies aligned in the "medal strike" position - turning on the vertical axis.), the price would have been a good deal higher. Ironically, the alignment III coins are rarer than the alignment IV piece, but are less desirable because of their restrike status. NGC graded this piece PR-65.

Here is the 1836 original strike piece which I have owned for a number years. There were 1,000 of these pieces minted at the end of 1836, and they are now considered to be a regular issue, type coin.

Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?

Comments

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,328 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 19, 2024 11:36AM

    That's a super nice coin to me by any means, I like 👍

    Out of curiosity what did it grade at? Peace ✌️ ☮️

  • Stunning. Both of them.

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,148 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Dream coin, no matter version. Maybe someday.

    Congratulations Bill.

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • Manifest_DestinyManifest_Destiny Posts: 6,896 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Weren't the 1836 coins actually released into circulation?

  • jfriedm56jfriedm56 Posts: 1,244 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Always have been a dream of mine to own any of these rare, wonderful pieces. Congratulations on both of your amazing dollars. Maybe someday.

  • cheezhedcheezhed Posts: 5,824 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A fantastic pair of coins.

    Many happy BST transactions
  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 9,999 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wow. Bill-you did it this time, what an addition to an already stellar collection. Congrats.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 23,982 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A dream coin.
    It is a sincere pleasure to read a valued member here has obtained one.

    peacockcoins

  • logger7logger7 Posts: 8,518 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Beautiful coins! Classic US coinage really is impressive for their aesthetics.

  • breakdownbreakdown Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Those are great coins to own — especially like the look of the 1839.

    I had an AU 58 Gobrecht for a few years that was nice for the grade but I sold it to free up some cash. One of those sales I am already regretting.

    "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,978 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Manifest_Destiny said:
    Weren't the 1836 coins actually released into circulation?

    Yes, they were, 1,000 of them, plus there were supposed to be 600 additional 1836 dated pieces in 1837. The experts are debating the alignment of the dies on those. Most think it's a medal turn with the eagle flying "onward and upward."

    There were also 300, 1939 dated pieces pieces placed in circulation.

    @breakdown said:
    Those are great coins to own — especially like the look of the 1839.

    I had an AU 58 Gobrecht for a few years that was nice for the grade but I sold it to free up some cash. One of those sales I am already regretting.

    I had an 1836 in PR-60 with the eagle flying horizontally when the coin was given a medal turn. That is alignment IV. I sold that coin when I bought the PR-62. The PR-60 was called a restrike.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • goldengolden Posts: 9,598 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice coin!

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,328 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OAKSTAR said:


    All3 are way cool 😎

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,142 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice!

    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.
  • Jacques_LoungecoqueJacques_Loungecoque Posts: 733 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I can’t speak because my tongue is on the floor. Beautiful example. Stunning!

    Having fun while switching things up and focusing on a next level PCGS slabbed 1950+ type set, while still looking for great examples for the 7070.

  • CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,685 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What are your thoughts about the toning?

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,978 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Crypto said:
    What are your thoughts about the toning?

    Maybe dipped at some point … does it matter? It looks okay now, and sometimes “original,” often means “original now,” is not all it’s cracked up to be. There was a piece, two grading points lower that sold for $10,000 more in an auction at the time I bought this piece.

    If you could see the toning on many 185 year old never dipped coins, you would never buy them.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • lermishlermish Posts: 2,906 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BillJones said:

    @Crypto said:
    What are your thoughts about the toning?

    Maybe dipped at some point … does it matter? It looks okay now, and sometimes “original,” often means “original now,” is not all it’s cracked up to be. There was a piece, two grading points lower that sold for $10,000 more in an auction at the time I bought this piece.

    If you could see the toning on many 185 year old never dipped coins, you would never buy them.

    I'm pretty sure this one has never been dipped but it's only 148 years old. I have mixed feelings about it but it's as original as they come.

  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great coin. Good job

  • breakdownbreakdown Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nothing wrong with the look on that coin, Lermish.
    I think we would all be surprised by how few coins from the 18th and 19th century are “original.” That’s a long time and likely many collector and dealer hands for a coin to go through without one or two looking to “improve” the coin.

    "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,314 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 19, 2024 7:21PM

    Very nice Coins! The 1836 no stars obverse with Eagle flying among stars reverse has always been one of my favorite coins ever.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,685 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BillJones said:

    @Crypto said:
    What are your thoughts about the toning?

    Maybe dipped at some point … does it matter? It looks okay now, and sometimes “original,” often means “original now,” is not all it’s cracked up to be. There was a piece, two grading points lower that sold for $10,000 more in an auction at the time I bought this piece.

    If you could see the toning on many 185 year old never dipped coins, you would never buy them.

    Especially such as classic rarities that have been collectible for as long as those have. Dream coin for many of us, congrats

  • alaura22alaura22 Posts: 3,182 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Very nice indeed Bill
    Thanks for sharing

  • JBNJBN Posts: 1,842 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Congratulations!
    Such an elegant look. All of the fields look exceptionally clear.
    Thanks for sharing your stars version, too.
    What a great pair.

  • EastonCollectionEastonCollection Posts: 1,381 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great looking coins and glad that they are together. Congrats Bill.

    Easton Collection
  • thebeavthebeav Posts: 3,788 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Boy, that's really pretty.
    I love that eagle. It looks like it flew onto the cent in 1856.......

  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,781 ✭✭✭✭

    Don't touch those rims. You may cut yourself. ;)

    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!

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