J-1626 1879 Silver Dollar Pattern - J1626 1879 S$1 NGC PF67. R4, NGC PF67. This Superb Gem 1879 pattern proof dollar is tied for the finest known at both NGC and PCGS. Light rainbow toning is present on both sides, especially on the obverse. The surfaces are original, as evidenced by the presence of the colors, and clean. There are no hairlines visible except with the assistance of high magnification. There are also no visible contact marks on this exceptional piece. As expected for a proof coin of this grade, every detail is full, sharp, and clear.

Designed by William Barber, the coin is a goloid metric dollar. Goloid is an alloy of silver, gold and copper that was patented by Dr. William Hubbell in 1877. The metal is composed of one part gold, twenty four parts sliver, and two and one half parts copper. While used from 1878 to 1880 to make pattern coins, goloid was rejected as a coinage metal because it could not be easily distinguished from 90 percent silver without chemical analysis. Using it as a coinage metal would invite counterfeiters to use lower cost silver-copper alloys to make lower value copies. Goloid was used to test a concept for coins to match up to a European standard of value so the coin would be useful in international transactions.

Barbers coronet head of Liberty is predominant on the obverse with LIBERTY incused on the headband. Seven stars are to the left and six to the right with the date below. The reverse has a circle of 38 stars enclosing a statement of the proposed alloy and weight. The 25 grams was equal to the Latin Monetary Unions five franc silver piece. Surrounding the circle of stars is a wreath of wheat and cotton. Below is the motto DEO EST GLORIA or God is the Glory, and GOLOID METRIC DOLLAR is above. The whole is surrounded by the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and 100 CENTS below.

William Barber was born in England, married and came to the United States as an adult. He was the son of an engraver and had apprenticed to his father in the early years in England. Among other things he learned typesetting for cards and labels and fine silver engraving. He settled in Boston in September 1852 and worked for Gorham & Company, manufacturers of silver and gold jewelry. Barber was responsible for die making and pattern design for Gorhams trade medals and commemoratives. Eventually, as the Civil War was ending, James B. Longacre, Chief Engraver at the Mint, hired Barber as an assistant in 1865. Barber moved to Philadelphia and began designing patterns and medals for the Mint. One of his most famous medals was the one celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Americas Independence. When Longacre died in 1869, Barber became the fifth Chief Engraver at the Mint. He earned $3,000 per year in salary and held the position until his death in 1879. When he became the Chief Engraver, he immediately hired his unproven son, Charles to be an assistant engraver. This hiring was an example of the kind of patronage that Longacre had tried to eliminate.

William Barber was renowned for his pattern work and for the production of over forty medals. The dies and prototypes for these works were repeated many times over with slight modifications. One of Barbers most famous works was the Amazonian Seated Liberty quarter. In total, Barbers body of work is considered uninspired and inconsistent. However, he was one of the most prolific and influential pattern designers that had ever been employed by the Mint. He is probably best known for his Britannia inspired Trade Dollar that was made from 1873 to 1878 for circulation in China and other countries of the Far East. In 1878 Trade Dollars were discontinued, although proofs were made until 1885. One of Barbers negatives is that he was one of two Chief Engravers of the Mint not to have designed any major circulating coinage. He was responsible for the twenty-cent piece, but it was minted for only two years. Barber was succeeded at Chief Engraver by his son Charles.

The 1879 J-1626 was also struck in silver, copper, aluminum, an unknown white metal, and lead. In its population report, NGC shows this piece tied with 5 other J-1626 pieces in PF67 and 1 other at PCGS. None are finer.