An overlooked rarity?

tradedollarnut

Here is a truly interesting tidbit [paraphrased from Bowers & Highfill]:

In June 1838 the Treasury had paid out all the Gobrechts on hand and asked for 50 more pieces. These were supplied, but then it asked for 25 more. Dies dated 1838 were subsequently created and perhaps 50 originals were made!

Could it be that the 1838 dated Gobrechts are one of the rarest circulation strike coinage in existance?

EVillageProwler

TDN,

Can you voire dire for us this supposed circ-strike 1838 Gob?

EVP

tradedollarnut

The 1836 Gobrecht is a legitimate issue. Of the 1000 struck in December 1836, the Mint released 600 to circulation and kept 400 on hand. An additional 600 were struck in early 1837 for release to circulation. Once the treasury ran out of coins, the request was made for additional specimens. The mint released its last 50 of the original 400 it retained, but 25 more were requested. The mint then created the 1838 dies and struck 25 coins.

I admit error on my part - what I should have said was IMO it is a legitimate, non pattern issue - much like the proof only 1858 Seated Dollars or 1878-1883 Trade Dollars. If the Treasury ordered it to have on hand for presentation or sale to collectors after it ran out of 1836 coins [vice contemplation of design changes], wouldn't that make sense? On the other hand, if the Treasury ordered the coins for release to circulation, then it would indeed be a legitimate circulation issue.

IMO, here is the classification of the various Gobrechts:

1836 Name under base: Pattern + Restrikes + Fantasy pieces
1836 Name on base: Circulation issue + Presentation/sale pieces + Restrikes + Fantasy pieces
1838: Presentation/sale [or even circulation] pieces + Restrikes + Fantasy pieces
1839: Circulation issue + Restrikes + Fantasy pieces

topstuf

I wonder what it would have been like to live in a society so blase' that they would just SPEND coins that were so different that only 600 were released to the public.

Musta been the Laudanum. Or the Absinthe.




"Hey, Dan'l, d'ja see thet bear?"
"Whut bear?"
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