1879 Proof Dollar Pattern - J-1617

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

The 1879 Proof Dollar Pattern - J-1617 is a proof dollar pattern struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Metric & Stella Patterns (1874-1879) series. This is William Barber's metric dollar, with an obverse like that of the 1877 half union; USPatterns.com suggests his son Charles may have cut it. It was sold to Congressmen in sets with the Flowing Hair Stella (J-1635) and J-1626 at $6.10, and unsold sets later went to collectors at $15. The Mint made fifteen sets for Congress's Committee on Coinage, and 400 more were ordered, believed to be in standard silver and gold. The design was repeated in 1880 (J-1645 to J-1647). Goloid and silver examples (J-1617 and J-1618, both Pollock-1813) number several hundred together; one offered in 2021 tested at 0.4% gold, 96% silver and 3.6% copper. It is struck in goloid with a reeded edge. USPatterns.com rates it R-6. It is also catalogued as Pollock-1813 and Taxay EP1159. Cataloged as PCGS #61995.

Rarity Notes

R-6 (USPatterns.com)

Cross References

Judd-1617; Pollock-1813; Taxay EP1159