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The Coin That Proves When 1838 Gobrecht Dollars Were Restruck July 18, 2010 at 8:04 PM Our August 11-15 Boston ANA Signature Auction will feature a fascinating example of a 1838 Gobrecht dollar struck over a 1859 seated dollar. This coin was apparently first noticed by Louis Werner in the Earl Bostic Collection (Stack's, 12/1956). Walter Breen thought it noteworthy enough to comment on it in the May 1957 Numismatist in an article entitled "Some Unpublished Gobrecht Rarities": "In a recent New York auction Louis Werner observed that the 1838 brilliant proof Gobrecht dollar (a typical restrike, with two minute rust spots on the obverse die which should have been mentioned in my description of restrikes on page 17 of the monograph) showed a faint but unmistakable date 1859 to the right of the real date 1838. When I first saw the coin I recognized that this could have come about only through the fact that it was actually overstruck on an 1859 silver dollar. …I will simply say that I have looked at over twenty 1838s all told-originals and restrikes alike-and have never seen any other example of the kind." While unprecedented among Gobrecht dollars, there are parallels to two other famous coins, the 1851 dollar overstruck on an 1859-O or 1860-O dollar, and the unique Class II 1804 dollar was overstruck on an 1857 Bern Shooting taler. It is conjecture, but certainly possible that the 1851-O dollar, the Class II 1804 dollar, and this piece were all struck within a few months of each other. It is also most likely that all three were struck by the same person, Theodore Eckfeldt. Theodore's family had been employed in the Mint since 1792 (when Adam was first employed to do blacksmith work). In a case of poor judgment on the Mint's part, after firing young Theodore for theft, he was later rehired as a night watchman. Eckfeldt then proceeded to work with employees in the Coiner's Department to strike various rarities, including 1804 dollars, which he then sold to Dr. Montroville Dickeson. Much of the Seated dollar undertype is apparent. The 859 is clearly discernible (see closeup), and most of the 1 shows except top of serif, which was struck out by the 8. Under a microscope, all obverse stars are visible (star 9 is faintest), and several of the letters in the reverse legend can be detected. While the coin has acquired significant toning since its appearance in the Bostic auction in 1956, there are telltale marks on the reverse that confirm it is that piece. There are a couple of shallow marks between the eagle's upper wing and the second A in AMERICA, and there is a distinctive diagonal mark below the F in OF. This coin is enormously important. It is the "smoking gun" that proves the earliest date that all Die Alignment III 1838 dollars could have been struck. Breen mentions this piece in his Encyclopedia (1988), but it is treated more as a curiosity than a coin that makes a definitive statement about the striking period. After the undertype was discovered by Louis Werner, the coin was subsequently sold to Art Kagin. The coin then went into an advanced collection of Gobrecht dollars assembled by the consignor, and has not been offered for auction or private treaty sale since 1969. Graded Proof-64, this coin will undoubtedly attract strong bids from Gobrecht dollar specialists and scholars. Available as LOT 15008 in the Upcoming Boston ANA Sale Related posts: An introduction to Gobrecht Silver Dollars 1836-1837 Heritage Releases Most Complete New Book on Gobrecht Dollars Finest Certified 1838 No Drapery Quarter, PCGS MS68 CAC to be Offered at Auction   Legend Numismatics acquires the Denali Collection of Patterns and more.. July 18, 2010 at 7:49 PM By Laura Sperber as part of the Legend Market Report Legend has acquired the Denali Collection of Patterns. One of the most comprehensive collections of 2C, 3C, 20C pieces along with 1870 pieces. While we do know of several incredible Pattern collections out there, none are of the scope or size (this collection is OVER 350 pieces). There are many R-7/R-8's (with the only other coin being in the Simpson Collection). We rank this multimillion dollar Collection second only to our Simpson Collection. This collection was assembled by a long time friend and customer of Legend. Ironically, he built this collection before we ever started dabbling in Patterns! The collector is also a true scholar. In fact, since we started working on the acquisition of this set, we have learned MANY things about certain Patterns from him we never knew (like how the Mint tested dipping one side of a coin in silver, or how it made some dies, etc). There are some monster wicked cool coins we never knew existed even though they are in the Judd book -like 793A, a 2C piece obverse with a 25C Standard silver reverse. WOW! We could go on and on. ALL of the coins in this incredible collection are graded by PCGS. Grades range from VG 08 to PR67! Due to time restraints, we are hoping to have the coins inventoried by the end of the month (we have another major deal incoming). Our goal is to offer some coins starting at or immediately after the ANA Show. If you have a Pattern Want list, make sure we have it, or subscribe to our email blasts (we are NOT spammers) to find out when these coins will be available. in many cases, this will be your ONLY chance to acquire a certain Judd number. THE SIMPSON COLLECTION DUPLICATES-THE HERITAGE SALE As you may know, Legend is the exclusive dealer for the Simpson Collection. This collection already ranks as one of the greatest EVER assembled. So we'd like to let you know whats happening with the collection. Legend did indeed place a multimillion dollar consignment of coins from the this incredible collection in the ANA sale. No, Mr. Simpson is not slowing down or selling (you'll certainly see that by the next few major announcements we'll make). He actually needed more room! He is building so many sets that his boxes become cluttered. So he allowed us to outright buy a few coins, but his desire was that his duplicates be placed in auction so other collectors have the opportunity to finish their sets. The majority of the coins are UNRESERVED. We can assure you, the quality is all there and then some. His standards are amazingly high. Legend did sell him the majority of what is in the sale. So if you have any questions, please feel free to ask us about any coin. Mr Simpson also has been gracious enough to team up with the ANA and loan them his incredible Bickford Pattern Collection for display at the Boston ANA Show. These are extremely rare and beautiful "must see" coins. His gold piece (one of twoknown) is worth $1,500,000.00 and is a NGC PR65 Deep Cameo (it is not the one that just sold in the Heritage Jan FUN Sale for $1.1 million hammer). The ANA has designed a fabulous display and offers much educational writings about the coins. Legend thanks both Mr. Simpson and the ANA for this display. Related posts: Legend Numismatics Sells The Sunnywood Toned Morgan Dollar Coin Collection Legend Numismatics Announces The Acquisition of the 35000+ coin McClaren Collection All-Time Finest Collection of Private & Territorial Gold Patterns