1849 Mormon Five Dollar - Copper Restrike, Uniface Obverse

Coin Details

Auction Record

$10,200 MS65BN 11-09-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1849 Mormon Gold five-dollar copper restrike with uniface obverse is a numismatic curiosity produced from the original dies of the Deseret Mint in Salt Lake City. This piece was struck using only the obverse die — bearing the iconic "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" inscription with the All-Seeing Eye and bishop's mitre — onto a copper planchet, leaving the reverse completely blank. The uniface striking indicates this was produced either as a die trial, a collector specimen, or during the process of testing die condition. The original Mormon gold coinage was authorized by Brigham Young in 1849 to address the acute currency shortage in the isolated Great Basin settlement. The Deseret Mint produced gold coins in $2.50, $5, $10, and $20 denominations during 1849-1860, using native gold brought to Utah by Mormon Battalion veterans returning from California. The dies were engraved by William Clayton and other craftsmen in the settlement. Copper restrikes from the Mormon gold dies were produced at various times after the original minting period, in the 1860s and 1870s as numismatic interest in territorial coinage grew. The uniface obverse striking is particularly unusual, as most restrikes reproduce both sides of the coin. The All-Seeing Eye design — a symbol with deep significance in Mormon theology as well as broader American iconography — is sharply rendered in the copper, which captures die detail more crisply than the original soft gold alloy.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Uniface copper restrikes are among the scarcest Mormon numismatic items. Fewer than 10-15 examples exist. The uniface format limits collector interest compared to complete two-sided restrikes, but the rarity commands strong specialist premiums.

Cross References

PCGS #526338