1960 $5 (Parkville, CO) Pike's Peak: Bashlow Restrike (Goldine)

Twobitcollector

dcarr

These token "re-strikes" (circa 1961) by Robert Bashlow were made in brass, copper, and silver. Bashlow explained the domed center as a collapse of the original die. He also claimed an original die was used.

Both claims were lies, however. The "5" die can not be an original die because it says "RE / STRIKE" inside the "5". The other die can not be original either because the size, placement, and quantity of stars is wrong.

When a die collapses (usually due to improper hardening), it will not make a perfect dome like that.

The stated mintage for the brass Bashlow strikes was 3,000 pieces.

In 1956, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the first Denver Mint coins, Nolie Mumey used five of the six original JJ Conway dies (or transfers from those dies), plus the 1862 Liberty Head P & R.R. Smith obverse die, to produce a set of all three denominations in brass. The Mumey pieces were limited to only 200 sets. The Mumey strikes will typically sell for prices far above the Bashlow prices.

I have a complete write-up about all of these on my web page here:
moonlightmint.com/dc-coin_pioneer_tokens_list.htm

Goldminers

@dcarr said:

I have a complete write-up about all of these on my web page here:
moonlightmint.com/dc-coin_pioneer_tokens_list.htm

Great write-up and collection.