1805 Quarter Pattern - J-C1805-1, Dickeson Fantasy

Coin Details

Description

This is a fantasy piece attributed to Dr. Montroville Wilson Dickeson, the same Philadelphia numismatist-archaeologist who produced the more famous 1792-dated restrike cent (J-C1792-1). Dickeson created this piece by combining the same eagle obverse die used for his 1792 cent restrike — originally an embossing die for revenue paper, not a coinage die — with a rusted obverse die from an authentic 1805 quarter dollar. The result is a muled fantasy that pairs two dies never intended to be used together: a revenue stamp eagle on one side and a Draped Bust Liberty portrait dated 1805 on the other. The Draped Bust side shows the classic Gilbert Stuart-inspired Liberty design by Robert Scot, with flowing hair and drapery, surrounded by stars. The eagle side displays the defiant bird perched on a rock, consistent with Dickeson's other fantasy strikes. uspatterns dates it to the early 1860s and identifies the obverse as a Browning 2 die, sold by the Mint as scrap, which survives at the American Numismatic Society. Dickeson apparently acquired discarded Mint dies through informal channels and combined them in inventive ways to produce unique collectibles. It may be unique.

Rarity Notes

possibly unique (USPatterns.com)

Cross References

Judd-C1805-1; Pollock-6105