1858 Proof Dollar Pattern - J-224

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Judd-224, this 1858 dollar pattern represents an off-metal striking of the Seated Liberty dollar dies. The obverse features Christian Gobrecht's iconic Seated Liberty figure, with Liberty holding a pole topped by a liberty cap in her left hand and resting her right hand on a shield inscribed LIBERTY. Thirteen stars encircle the design with the date 1858 below. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings clutching an olive branch and arrows, surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with the denomination ONE DOL. below. The 1858 is a remarkable date in the Seated Liberty dollar series as it was produced exclusively as a proof issue, with no business strikes coined for circulation. Mint Director James Ross Snowden had begun publicizing the availability of proof coins that year, and the silver dollar, lacking any circulating counterpart since the mid-1850s, proved particularly popular with collectors. An estimated 275 original proofs were struck along with roughly 35 restrikes produced shortly afterward. Two die marriages are known from a single obverse die that was repolished between runs. This particular Judd number represents a striking in an alternate composition from the standard silver, preserving the same design in a different metal for numismatic purposes.