1849 Copper Pattern Dollar - Bowie Kagin Unlisted

Coin Details

Auction Record

$63,250 EF45 10-16-2007 Stack's

Description

This 1849 copper pattern dollar is an unlisted variety in the standard Kagin reference for territorial and early California gold issues, indicating it was produced in very small numbers or came to light after the reference was compiled. The year 1849 sits at the heart of the California Gold Rush, a period that spurred both private territorial coinage and experimental federal patterns as the Mint grappled with rising demand for new denominations. Copper trial pieces struck on dollar-sized planchets were commonly produced to test die alignment, edge collars, and striking pressure before committing to precious-metal production. The Bowie attribution references a supplemental catalog of unlisted California and territorial gold issues, placing this piece among a small group of off-reference rarities from a pivotal year in American coinage history.

Rarity Notes

Unique or nearly unique. Unlisted in standard references; a one-of-a-kind die trial.

Cross References

Bowie Kagin Unlisted; cf. Judd-116 series (1849 dollar patterns)