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Description

1851 Restrike Dollar, PR63 Cameo
Key Date in the Seated Dollar Series

1851 $1 Restrike PR63 Cameo NGC. CAC. The offering of an 1851 silver dollar at auction -- whether it is a business strike or a proof -- is sure to elicit the attention of collectors far and wide. Of the 33 different Philadelphia Seated dollar issues from 1840 to 1873, the 1851 is considered the rarest date. In his Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States (1993), Bowers estimates that between 26 and 52 examples out of the original 1,300 mintage of 1851 circulation strike dollars survive to this day. Regarding the proof restrikes of the same date, he approximates an extant population of between 30 to 60 pieces, thus suggesting that business strike and proofs are of equal rarity. Recent research by Dick Osburn and Brian Cushing estimates the proof restrike mintage at 50 to 100 pieces. Why the Mint would take the time and expense to prepare silver dollar dies for such a paltry mintage of silver dollars remains a mystery.

The current coin is one of the few to have been designated as a Cameo by either NGC or PCGS, and based on the reverse die it was likely struck in late 1859 or early 1860. As expected, the fields are exceptionally deep in their mirrored reflectivity, which helps set up contrast against the frosted devices. Variegated reddish patina is seen over each side with a faint accent of blue noted around the margins. Light hairlines explain the PR63 grade and why this piece does not grade higher even though visually it appears finer. The only surface disturbance worthy of note is a tiny area of pinscratching in the exergual area between the 1 and 8 in the date. Census: 2 in 63 Cameo, 1 finer (3/16).

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# CPUT, PCGS# 86993, Greysheet# 7274)

Weight: 26.73 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper


View Certification Details from NGC

Auction Info

Auction Dates
Apr-May, 2016
27th-1st Wednesday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 10
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,020

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
17.5% of the successful bid per lot.

Sold on Apr 28, 2016 for: $17,625.00
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