Lot 1107
1836 Gobrecht Dollar. Designer's name on base. Circulation issue. PCGS graded Proof 58. Nicely toned on both sides. A razor-sharp example of the kind of quality one likes to describe for bidders of this actively collected Gobrecht Name on Base variety. Smooth light to medium gray color blends easily with paler silvery highlights on the incredibly detailed devices.
This year is notable for the appearance of the most famous Pattern silver dollar denomination of them all, a coin which for years collectors though was not regularly issued for circulation but struck mainly for exhibition purposes as a Proof.
According to a letter by Edward Cogan, published in the American Journal of Numismatics in June 1867, Mr. Patterson, the director of the Mint, was so highly pleased with the workmanship of the dies that he insisted that Mr. Gobrecht should have his name upon it. In accordance with the request, Mr. Gobrecht inserted it between the date and the base of the design. "The press in discussing the merits of this Pattern piece, made some uncalled for remarks about the conceited German putting his name so conspicuously on the coin, and it hurt the old gentleman's feelings so much, that he immediately after reading this criticism, took his name off the die. Mr. Patterson, however, still insisted that it should be on the dollar and it was then put on the base of the figure of Liberty, but in such small letters as to be scarcely discernible to the naked eye." (Thus originated the Name on Base variety.) (PCGS # 11227) .
Estimated Value $19,000 - 20,000.
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