1861 Clark, Gruber & Co. Ten Dollar Die Trial - Copper

Coin Details

Auction Record

$13,800 AU55 11-11-1999 Bowers & Merena

Description

This copper die trial represents the Clark, Gruber & Company $10 eagle from their final year of private coining operations in 1861. The firm's 1861 coinage is particularly significant because it marked a major design change: the fanciful Pikes Peak obverse used in 1860 was replaced with a more conventional Liberty Head design closely modeled after the United States Mint's Coronet eagle. This redesign reflected Clark Gruber's desire to produce coins that would be more readily accepted in commerce by resembling federal issues. Copper die trials from 1861 document this transitional period and provide evidence of the die preparation process for the new design. Clark Gruber's decision to adopt a federal-style design was influenced by criticism of their earlier Pikes Peak motif and the practical reality that coins resembling official US issues circulated more freely. The firm continued operations until 1862, when the federal government purchased their mint building and equipment as part of the effort to establish official assay and mint facilities in the western territories.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. The 1861 Clark Gruber eagle with the new Liberty Head design is scarce even in gold; copper die trials are virtually unobtainable.

Cross References

K-6 (Kagin); Clark, Gruber & Company, Denver, Colorado Territory; 1861 new Liberty Head design