1879 $4 Flowing Hair, Judd-1635, Flowing Hair, Judd-1635 Restrike, Pollock-1833, R.3--Cleaned--ANACS. PR60 Details....

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PR60 Details 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, Judd-1635

1879 $4 Flowing Hair, Judd-1635, Flowing Hair, Judd-1635 Restrike, Pollock-1833, R.3--Cleaned--ANACS. PR60 Details. Two Pollock numbers (1832 and 1833) represent the two alloys, one standard 90% gold/10% copper, one the metric composition supposedly produced of 85.71% gold, 4.29% silver, 10% copper. Such a composition would have been difficult for the Mint to produce, and for a pattern coin denomination not yet approved (and never approved) by Congress, it would have been highly illogical for the Mint to manufacture. Despite the claim that 15 or 25 "originals" were produced and several hundred "restrikes"--which, barring metallurgical analysis, can be distinguished by the existence of parallel die striae in the hair of Liberty--all of the examples known show those die striae. They were produced because the Mint produced planchet stock of standard composition but 20% thinner than normal for the half eagle, in effect making a five dollar gold coin into a four dollar one. Since the head of Liberty was the deepest recess of the coinage dies, the roller marks produced in the planchet production failed to strike out during coinage.
The Judd pattern reference, ninth edition, appears to backpedal on the existence of "originals," i.e. stellas lacking the striations: "All gold impressions seen have parallel planchet striations near the top of the hair." The Judd authors attribute this remark to Akers, the relevant footnote saying, "Per Akers, p. 52. He suggests that the originals lack these marks."
The www.uspatterns.com website of Saul Teichman, technical consultant to the Judd reference, states that "these were struck on shaved half eagle planchets causing the striations seen ... . Has anyone attempted METALLURGICAL analysis ... ?"
The present example shows the roller marks running northeast from about Liberty's cheekbone up into the hair below her diadem. Many Morgan dollars that are incompletely struck also show similar roller marks, and the effect is not that much different. The highpoints appear to have been lightly wiped at one time, and they appear more whitish-gold than the amber-gold fields. Much appeal remains on the coin, and this piece may represent an opportunity for some astute collector to obtain a nice example for much less than the price of a Gem proof.(Registry values: P1)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28AZ, PCGS# 8057, Greysheet# 8779)

Weight: 7.00 grams

Metal: 86% Gold, 4% Silver, 10% Copper