Let's talk about the "KING OF AMERICAN COINS" the 1804 Dollar

SethChandler

What's your opinion of the coin?
Does it really deserve the title? If not, which coin do you think does?
How many different coins have you seen? What did you think?
Has anyone here ever owned one?

The coins that I have seen are.....

Reed Hawn coin....looked like a lightly circulated proof
The three coins in the Smithsonian....sorry, could not get a good look, but they looked rather dark
The Bebee coin. NGC PF64......a really nice overall coin. It was donated to the ANA. I think Walter Breen called it "cleaned" in his book. Any comments?
The Dexter coin. I believe its PCGS PR64. An awesome looking coin...better than the Bebee coin.
The King of Siam coin. NGC PR67 I know this may sound crazy, but I didn't like it. The deep grayish/brown toning gave it a rather muted look.
The ANS coin, saw it at the Federal Reserve in NY, dark around the edges, with the center more of a cleaned silver look to it. Perhaps lightly circulated.
The Dupont coin that was stolen then found and donated to the ANA. NGC PF15. The grade speaks for itself.

There you have it, I've seen nine specimans of my favorite coin.

Has anyone seen the PCGS PR68, what's it like? And, how does it compare to the King of Siam coin?

kieferscoins

Both the ANA dollars were craked out of the NGC slabs. The ANA is still keeping the inserts though.

Cameron Kiefer

paigowjohnny

Unfortunately...the king of American coins is the 1895 Morgan

dorkkarl

the king of american coins . . . . is the 1 you need the most for your collection.

K S

ER

Sorry, but IMHO, the King of American Coins has to be the 1849 Liberty Double Eagle, a unique and unattainable coin ( because it's in the Smithsonian ), unless the Pink Panther can get his hand on it.

ER

Barry

I'm not an admirer of some of these high profile coins such as the 1804 dollar, 1913 nickel, etc. Why are they rare? Because someone (politician, mint worker, etc.) created and/or distributed it through some form of subterfuge for some select individual(s).
To me they're the same as pattern coins - not meant for circulation, therefore, not a real coin.

littlewicher

Weren't all 1804 dollars restrikes? If that's true, I don't consider them to be a valid numismatic treasure. Perhaps more of a really expensive novelty coin.

SethChandler

Has anyone seen an 1804 Dollar is person?

Baley

at the smithsonian!

they are a very famous coin, very romantic and storied, like the 1913 nickel or Brasher doubloon.

I think any claim of kingship among numismatics would be a matter of opinion.

I just hope to acquire some of the nobles of the court someday

Bustman

I'd rather have a nice high grade 1794 dollar!!

lordmarcovan

ER- I thought it was the 1849 double eagle?

I don't think much of the 1804 dollar, really- it's a restrike, after all. There's something "artificial" about its popularity, IMHO. I don't think it deserves a lot of its fame; there are many, many U.S. coins that are rarer. It just happens to have been hyped more than the others. Ditto for the 1913 Liberty nickel- it was an unauthorized striking.

Now, mind you, I would love to see the King of Siam Proof set. But I'm not so sure the 1804 dollar would be my pick of that particular litter. And don't get me wrong- the 1804 dollar and the 1913 Liberty nickel are exciting coins- but there are many, many others that would excite me more, if we cast aside the monetary consideration and go on historical or aesthetic principles alone.

I'd rather have this one particular "damaged" coin than an 1804 dollar.

Lakesammman

The King is the 1873 IHC DDO - far more interesting, in my book

ER

Lordmarcovan -
Yes, that 's what I said: the 1849 Liberty Double Eagle ( one and only ).
I don't care much for the 1804 Dollar.

ER

lordmarcovan

Oh- sorry. Thought you'd typed 1848, ER. (Time for a visit to the optometrist. *sigh*.)

The 1849 double eagle is definitely a candidate for "Royalty" amongst American coins.