1852 Proof Dollar Pattern - J-145, Restrike

Coin Details

Auction Record

$9,900 PR 03-01-1995 Stack's

Description

Judd-145 (Pollock-173, Low R.6) is an annular gold dollar pattern featuring a wide central opening that significantly limits the available surface area for design elements. The obverse carries only the date and the reverse shows the denomination and country name, with a wreath occupying the lower portion of the reverse. Struck in gold with a plain edge. Both thick and thin planchet variants exist, and the difference in weight provides the primary means of distinguishing originals from restrikes. Thicker examples weigh approximately 32 grains and be original Mint productions. The thinner restrikes, weighing around 25 grains, were produced in the late 1850s for the collector market on lighter planchets. This restrike variant represents one of the more available entries in the annular gold dollar series, though "available" is relative for a Low R.6 rarity. The experimental series from Judd-136 through Judd-148 reflects the Mint's sustained effort to find a practical larger-format gold dollar. The problem was ultimately resolved not through ring-shaped coins but through the reduction of silver weights in subsidiary coinage in 1853 and the introduction of the larger Type II gold dollar in 1854.