Q. David Bowers
Originals have die alignment I. Breen-5417; Julian-2. 25 originals were requested by the Treasury, but more may have been made for collectors, perhaps up to a total of about 50.(Letter from R.W.Julian to the author, July 25, 1992.) Extremely rare today; none seen in many years. Estimated 3 to 5 known (URS-3).
Restrikes have die alignments III and IV, respectively Julian-18 and 19, Breen-5418. Later impressions, possibly coined 1867-1869, have knife-rims. Obverse sometimes shows rust marks in field. Reverse of some is cracked through NITE and AMERI. One of these exists clearly overstruck on an 1859 Liberty Seated dollar (Louis S. Werner, Arthur M. Kagin specimen). Estimated 30 to 50 known (URS-6).
Description of a specimen of J-54 in the Bowers and Merena inventory, August 1992: Die alignment III. The reverse die is lightly cracked beginning past the F in OF, to the left of M in AMERICA and continuing through the tops of MERI to just before the C. Along the denticles beginning above the right of the last S in STATES, and continuing for much of the space between Sand 0 (of OF), is a tiny raised die irregularity running parallel to the denticles. A tiny die break, microscopically visible, connects the tops of NIT; no thorn on D of UNITED. Some diagonal die finish lines slope down to the right from the denticles above IT of UNITED. A very slightly earlier impression than those of J-104 and J-105 (dated 1839) offered in the Bowers and Merena Somerset Collection Sale, June 1992. Weight not known, due to being encased in a PCGS holder.
Judd-85: As Judd-84, but with plain edge. Silver. Restrike. Die alignment III and possibly IV. Breen-5419; Julian-19. Estimated S to 16 known (URS-4).
A specimen, apparently considered to be an original, appeared as Lot 149 in the June 21, 1886 sale of the Dr. Edward Maris Collection, and was catalogued by Harlan P. Smith as follows:(This citation called to the author's attention by Kenneth E. Bressett.)
1838 Dollar. Beautiful brilliant Proof in silver. Plain edge. William J. Jenks, the oldest Philadelphia collector, declares that the original dollar of 1838 had a plain edge similar to the 1836. He remembers Colonel Snowden making the restrikes, and says they had milled edges. This is probably the first ever offered with plain edge, and is the only one I ever saw. [Realized $117.50, a fantastic price for the era.]
Judd-86: As Judd-84, but in copper. Reeded edge. Restrike. Die alignment III or IV (not verified). J-86 is listed as "unverified" in Don Taxay's Comprehensive Catalogue. None is known to Andrew W. Pollock III.
Judd-87: As Judd-84, but in copper. Plain edge. Restrike. Die alignment III or IV (not verified). Estimated 3 to 6 known (URS-3).
Judd-88: Obverse: As Judd-84. Reverse: With eagle flying onward and upward in starry field of 26 stars (13 small stars and 13 large stars); reverse die of IS36. Silver. Plain edge. Restrike. Die alignment III; possibly also IV. Breen-5420; Julian-22. Reverse cracked through OLLA and NITED STATES O. Estimated 2 to 4 known (URS-2).
Die description of the Maris (later Parmelee, Woodin, Newcomer, Curtis, Farouk, Randall, Baldenhofer, Ostheimer, et al.) specimen: Obverse die perfect. Reverse with linear break through the tops of NITED STATES 0, another through the bases of DOLLA. Tiny (about 1mm. each) reverse breaks (or die scratches?) at the top of eagle's left wing toward nearest star; top right wing toward space between two stars above. Die alignment III. (Die description courtesy of Michael Hodder; coin later shown to author by Larry Stack at the 1992 ANA Convention)
Judd-88a: As preceding, but with reeded edge. Restrike. Listed by Adams-Woodin, but not listed by Judd. A W-62; Julian-25. Existence not verified by Andrew W. Pollock III.
Judd-89: As Judd-88, but in copper. Plain edge. Restrike. Die alignment III or IV (not verified). Estimated 2 or 3 known (URS-2).
Judd-90: As Judd-88, but in copper. Reeded edge.
Restrike. Die alignment III or IV (not verified). Andrew W. Pollock III has no records of auction appearances.
In the collectors' market today, most known specimens of 1838-dated Gobrecht dollars are restrikes of Judd-84. Such coins are always in demand due to their rarity as a date. In auction catalogues over the years the word restrike has been avoided like the plague. Thus, in the absence of published die alignment information and data concerning die cracks, rust marks, etc., knowledge concerning Gobrecht dollars is necessarily limited.
The 1839 Gobrecht Dollar
On December 31, 1839 the coiner delivered 300 1839-dated Gobrecht silver dollars. Most of these went into circulation. However, the dies were kept on hand, and as is the case with dollars dated 1836 and 1838, restrikes exist in several varieties. Presumably, these were coined 1858 to summer 1860, 1867-1869, and perhaps other times as well. Gobrecht dollars were an excellent commodity and source of profit for insiders at the Mint during the late nineteenth century.