1849 Oregon Five Dollar - Copper Restrike

Coin Details

Description

The 1849 Oregon Exchange Company Five Dollar copper restrike is a base-metal impression from the original territorial mint dies, produced as a collector piece rather than as circulating coinage. Copper restrikes of the Oregon Exchange Company coinage were struck at various times after the original 1849 production, using the authentic beaver obverse and wreathed denomination reverse dies created by Hamilton Campbell and Victor Wallace in Oregon City. The copper composition immediately distinguishes these pieces from the gold originals and gold restrikes, marking them clearly as numismatic productions rather than monetary issues. The copper planchets typically produce sharper and more detailed impressions than the soft gold alloy used for the originals, often revealing die details that are weak or absent on circulated gold specimens. This makes copper restrikes valuable study pieces for understanding the original die work. Copper restrikes were a common practice in nineteenth-century American numismatics, where possession of dies — whether for pattern coins, territorial issues, or commemorative medals — frequently led to the production of additional impressions in various metals for collectors and dealers. The Oregon copper restrikes follow this tradition, providing collectors who cannot afford the extraordinarily expensive gold originals with an opportunity to own an authentic die product from the Oregon Territory's only private mint.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Copper restrikes are scarcer than white metal restrikes but more available than gold restrikes. An estimated 15-25 examples survive. These trade at a significant discount to gold versions but remain valuable as original die products.

Cross References

PCGS #507068; Kagin K-1c (Five Dollar Copper Restrike)