1860 Mormon Five Dollar - Uniface Copper Obverse, K-8, Plain Edge Restrike

Coin Details

Description

The 1860 Mormon Five Dollar uniface copper obverse restrike, cataloged as Kagin K-8, is a copper die impression from the 1860 Deseret Mint half eagle obverse die with plain edge. The K-8 Kagin designation places this piece within the established catalog of Mormon gold die impressions, identifying a specific die state. The 1860 obverse die is among the latest in the Mormon gold series, produced approximately eleven years after the Deseret Mint's first coinage. The K-8 reference number indicates this die saw multiple restrike sessions over the years, each documented by a new Kagin catalog entry as the die's condition evolved. Copper provides an ideal balance between detail reproduction and long-term durability for restrike purposes. Unlike lead, which captures finer details but is fragile and prone to damage, copper produces sharp impressions that withstand handling and storage over decades.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. The K-8 variety from the 1860 die is scarce, with the late date reducing both original die use and subsequent restrike production.