1839 Proof Dollar Pattern - J-106, Restrike

Coin Details

Description

Judd-106, Pollock-119. This restrike Gobrecht dollar pattern was struck in copper with a reeded edge, pairing the familiar Christian Gobrecht obverse of Liberty seated on a rock with the soaring eagle reverse. The original silver issues cataloged as Judd-104 were produced in relatively large numbers (rated R.3, suggesting 201 to 500 survivors) and appear to have been intended for actual circulation, though they were struck in medal rotation with the eagle flying level -- an orientation inconsistent with standard United States coinage practice. The restrikes from these Gobrecht dollar dies appear in two different orientations: some retain the original medal-turn alignment (Alignment IV), while others were produced in coin rotation with the eagle still flying level (Alignment III). The copper composition of Judd-106 confirms its status as a collector-oriented restrike rather than a circulation issue. Like many mid-nineteenth-century restrikes, these pieces were almost certainly produced at the Philadelphia Mint during the 1850s through 1870s to satisfy growing demand from the nascent coin collecting community.