Q. David Bowers
1801-2-3-4 Novodels: Conclusions
I summarize my thoughts and conclusions concerning the 1801-2-3-4 novodels as follows:
1801 Proof novodel: First struck at the Mint in the mid-1870s from an obverse die possibly made in the mid-1870s and from Reverse X made in the early 1830s. Intended for sale to numismatists. Struck in the same time period, but just after the 1803 novodels were struck. However, P. Scott Rubin has a different opinion, and notes this:
I believe that there is no evidence to support this as the obverse letter punches are similar to 1830s-style, and new star punches may have been made in 1830 and never used again. This would be the reason for them riot being used on other coins even in the 1870s. I believe the 1801 obverse was first made but rejected because 1830s-style letters did not look right for the 1804 intended coin for presentation sets. (Special contribution to this book.)
• 1802 Proof novodel: First struck at the Mint in the mid-:1870s from an obverse die made before autumn 1834 and from Reverse X made in the early 1830s. Intended for sale to numismatists. Struck in the, same time period, but just before the 1803 novodels were struck.
• 1803 Proof novodel: First struck at the Mint in the mid-1870s from an obverse die made before autumn 1834 and from Reverse X made in the early 1830s. Intended for sale to numismatists. Struck in the same time period, but after the 1802 novodels and before the 1801 novodels.
• 1804 Class I Proof novodel: Struck at the Mint c. 1831-1835; but in any event not after. January 18, 1837, from an obverse die prepared in the early 1830s and from Reverse X made in the early 1830s. Possibly one specimen, the Parmelee coin; was made in the 1840s from lighter planchet stock. Not intended for sale to numismatists.
• 1804 Class II Proof novodel: Struck without official approval or authorization at the Mint by George and Theodore Eckfeldt circa 1858, using an obverse die prepared in the early 1830s and from Reverse X made in the early 1830s, but pot hitherto used. Intended for sale to numismatists.
• 1804 Class III Proof novodel: Struck at the Mint secretly circa 1858, but with edge lettering applied later, before the mid-1870s, by persons unknown. Intended for sale to numismatists.
• Summary of production dates:
1804 Class I novodel dollar, struck c. 1831-1835.
1804 Class II novodel dollar, struck c. 1858.
1804 Class III novodel dollar, struck c.
1858, edge lettered in the 186Gs;
1802 novodel dollar, struck c.
1875-1876. First of the 1801-2-3 novodels to be struck.
1803 novodel dollar, struck c.
1875-1876. Second of the 1801-2-3 novodels to be struck.
1801 novodel dollar, struck c.
1875-1876. Third (last) of the 1801-2-3 novodels to be struck.
1801-2-3-4 Novodels: Fame
Just as the unofficial background of the 1913 Liberty Head nickel has not harmed its fame -people are fascinated by a "naughty lady," it seems-the Proof novodels of 1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804 are more desired by collectors today than ever before.
The background of the 1804 dollar, reviewed in exacting detail by Eric P. Newman and Kenneth E. Bressett in the 1962 book, The Fantastic 1804 Dollar, only served to increase the demand for "The King of American Coins." Since 1962, market prices never dreamed of then have been realized, with one coin selling for the best part of a million dollars ($990,000).