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While the denomination
was certainly considered to be introduced to the
monetary system in 1836, the design seems unlikely
to have lasted until this design would have reached
regular production. The obverse is almost fully
copied from Mexican coins, and does not feature
the portrait of Liberty which circulated on every
denomination at the time. Of course, we will never
know for sure, but this was perhaps meant as the
last step before the creation of the final design
for circulation. This design is known in various
metals, including gold alloyed with silver, another
experiment which is said to have been conducted
in 1844.
Additionally, this
is one of those pattern issues of which remarkably
few details are known regarding originals and restrikes.
Because of the existence of a single piece of this
design struck over an 1859 gold dollar, it has been
confirmed that restrikes were made around that period
(most likely in that year, as the Mint appears to
have been very active in their creation of restrikes
at the time). However, it is not known how many
restrikes were made, and if they are any different
from originals. As such, this is a pattern issue
which is usually not classified as either original
or restrike, simply because the true characteristics
are unknown to modern numismatic researchers.
Even with approximately
50 pieces known in all grades, few will have the
excellent eye-appeal the present piece has. Both
sides are highlighted by a very appealing orange-yellow
gold color. Reflective fields and strong frosted
devices give the coins’ surfaces a strong
black and white look, most often seen on Proof gold
issues from the following decades. Given that, we
would presume that this piece would be one of the
restrikes, but obviously, this is unconfirmed. No
marks are noted, and only a few very minor hairlines
are seen under magnification, in the fields. A great
coin and a very popular pattern, struck in gold,
one of those metals which only have a very limited
number of pattern pieces struck during the 19th
century. This coin has been stickered by CAC.
