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Half Unions

RKKayRKKay Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Each of these $50 patterns, designed by William Barber, is unique in gold. The
reverse is very similar to that which appeared on the double eagle of the time. They
were struck in response to demand by bankers and merchants in San Francisco
(originally expressed in 1854) for large denomination coins to make quick counting
easier. These amazing pieces were once in the possession of William Woodin. A brief
discussion can be found at the
Society of US Pattern Collectors website.
Photos courtesy of National Numismatic Collection, Smithsonian Institution
image
Rick Kay
Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns

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Comments

  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    Mmmm. proof gold. Nice texture in the fields.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • coinguy1coinguy1 Posts: 13,484 ✭✭✭
    I owned a copper example in the early 80's. It was a true red/brown Gem and featured, what I like to describe as "oil slick iridescent toning" on both sides.

    I believe I sold it (at a loss) in "Auction 82" for a price in the mid $30,000 range. I hate to think how many multiples of that price it would be worth today.image
  • RKKayRKKay Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I owned a copper example in the early 80's. It was a true red/brown Gem and featured, what I like to describe as "oil slick iridescent toning" on both sides.

    I believe I sold it (at a loss) in "Auction 82" for a price in the mid $30,000 range. I hate to think how many multiples of that price it would be worth today.image >>



    Mid-30s? You have five or six more I could buy?
    Rick Kay
    Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns

    <
  • coinguy1coinguy1 Posts: 13,484 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Mid-30s? You have five or six more I could buy? >>

    Thanks Rick - I feel much better nowimageimageimage

    I would guess the coin would be worth approximately $200,000 now?image
  • RKKayRKKay Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭
    My guess would be $150 to $200...Grand, that is.image
    Rick Kay
    Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns

    <
  • MercMerc Posts: 1,646 ✭✭
    Nice, I have only seen them in books.

    Have you seen them in person during your trips to the Smithsonian?
    Looking for a coin club in Maryland? Try:
    FrederickCoinClub
  • RKKayRKKay Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Nice, I have only seen them in books.

    Have you seen them in person during your trips to the Smithsonian? >>



    Yes. I took those pictures. They are spectacular. Beautiful. Great mirrors. HEAVY!
    Rick Kay
    Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns

    <
  • Dennis88Dennis88 Posts: 5,797 ✭✭✭
    One of these came up for auction a few months ago, it didn't sell

    Rick, THIS WAS YOUR CHANCE!!! (at a price offcourse)image

    Dennis
    VOC Numismatics
    Like VOC Numismatics on facebook
  • RKKayRKKay Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭


    << <i>One of these came up for auction a few months ago, it didn't sell

    Rick, THIS WAS YOUR CHANCE!!! (at a price offcourse)image

    Dennis >>



    Unfortunately, that was the week I couldn't afford to spend $150k on one coin.image
    Rick Kay
    Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns

    <
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,454 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes. I took those pictures. They are spectacular. Beautiful. Great mirrors. HEAVY!

    So who did the photo shop cropping for you?? image
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
  • michaelmichael Posts: 9,524 ✭✭✭
    oh my my

    my my my my my my my

    i take it the coin is as large as a round gold territorial slug??

    i would love one in copper gilt

    what do you think one of the smithsonian gold half union patterns would bring if offered at public auction in todays market????

  • RKKayRKKay Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Yes. I took those pictures. They are spectacular. Beautiful. Great mirrors. HEAVY!

    So who did the photo shop cropping for you?? image >>



    I did.image

    Michael: My estimate is that they are about 1.5 times the width of a double eagle and much thicker.
    Rick Kay
    Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns

    <
  • RegulatedRegulated Posts: 2,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Rick - Did I ever show you the notes in Morgan's sketchbook pertaining to designs for a gold Union dated 1876? It bears a close resemblance to the 1876 Centennial Medal. Oddly, that medal weighs in at 167.2 grams (the right weight for a $100 gold coin). Strange.

    What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
  • RegulatedRegulated Posts: 2,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I suspect that the Smithsonian's Half Unions would bring somewhere in the high seven-figure range if they were auctioned today - what do you think, Rick?

    What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,412 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I had the only known circ, VF as I recall. I think it came from the Kagin's 1982 ANA sale, but I'm too lazy to look it up at the moment...
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • RegulatedRegulated Posts: 2,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Andy - are you back yet?

    What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,412 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Andy - are you back yet?

    Yes. Aki says hello.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • RegulatedRegulated Posts: 2,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hello Aki. Is there an animal in there?!?

    What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,412 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Is there an animal in there?!?

    image I read your comment out loud and he's still scratching away at the mattress in the guest closet!
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • shirohniichanshirohniichan Posts: 4,992 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Rick - Did I ever show you the notes in Morgan's sketchbook pertaining to designs for a gold Union dated 1876? It bears a close resemblance to the 1876 Centennial Medal. Oddly, that medal weighs in at 167.2 grams (the right weight for a $100 gold coin). Strange. >>



    Thanks for sharing that tidbit. That's cool.
    image
    Obscurum per obscurius
  • michaelmichael Posts: 9,524 ✭✭✭
    image
  • RKKayRKKay Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Rick - Did I ever show you the notes in Morgan's sketchbook pertaining to designs for a gold Union dated 1876? It bears a close resemblance to the 1876 Centennial Medal. Oddly, that medal weighs in at 167.2 grams (the right weight for a $100 gold coin). Strange. >>



    You mentioned it, but I am not sure whether I saw it or not. As for prices, I bet you're right...somewhere close to $10M.
    Rick Kay
    Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns

    <
  • 1907Quarter1907Quarter Posts: 2,770
    so would the union coin have been a 5-ounce piece?!
    USPI minimalist design collage
    image
    designset
    Treasury Seals Type Set
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,811 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>so would the union coin have been a 5-ounce piece?! >>



    A little less than 5 oz. Equal to 5 times a double eagle or ten times a eagle etc.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

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