1860 Mormon Five Dollar - Lead Obverse, Plain Edge Restrike

Coin Details

Description

The 1860 Mormon Five Dollar lead obverse plain edge restrike captures the obverse die of the 1860 Deseret Mint half eagle in soft lead, providing an exceptionally detailed record of the die’s condition at the time of striking. Lead’s extreme malleability makes it the ideal medium for preserving subtle details of die engraving. The 1860 obverse die continued the established "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" and All-Seeing Eye design. Differences between the 1860 and earlier dies — whether in lettering style, eye design, or mitre detail — can be studied most effectively on lead impressions, where every nuance of the die surface is faithfully reproduced. Lead restrikes are inherently fragile compared to copper pieces, as the soft metal is susceptible to bending, surface compression, and environmental corrosion. Surviving lead impressions in good condition are therefore particularly valued by researchers and advanced collectors.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. Lead restrikes from the 1860 dies are very scarce, with only a few documented examples surviving in collectible condition.

Cross References

NGC #31331