1852 $1 Restrike PR65 PCGS. CAC....

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1852 Seated Dollar Restrike, Rare Gem Proof
Tied for the Finest Certified
Ex: Norweb Collection

1852 $1 Restrike PR65 PCGS. CAC. Collectors discovered early on that as a date, the 1852 Seated dollar was prohibitively difficult to locate. At the time, bullion dealers and speculators gathered up as many early silver dollars as could be found and melted them down to profit from the increased value of their silver content, caused by the massive influx of gold from California that upset the gold-to-silver value ratio. Not that the 1852 silver dollar was ever plentiful -- the Mint struck only 1,100 business strikes and (officially) no proofs.

By 1858, collectors were pestering the Philadelphia Mint for examples of 1851 and 1852 dollars, and this aided in bringing about the restrikes of those dates. As became a common practice during the 1860s, a few proofs were coined to satisfy the demand, though the restrikes were struck from different dies than the originals and they usually exhibit sharper design definition.

Bowers estimates 45 to 90 restrikes were coined of the proof 1852 Seated dollar and suggests that as few as 29 to 46 survive in all grades, though significantly fewer have thus far been certified or otherwise confirmed to exist. Not all collectors, however, differentiate between the restrikes and originals (of which Bowers estimates 15 to 30 pieces were coined). Akers furthermore suggests that all known proof 1852 dollars are restrikes. Bowers writes of this topic:

"With the exception of Walter H. Breen's studies, virtually no one has examined the situation in detail ... . More than for any other date in the Liberty Seated series dated in the 1850s, research remains to be done on the 1852."

Regardless of their year(s) of origin, proof silver dollars dated 1852 are rare in all grades, and this piece stands as one of the finest known. Deep lilac and champagne-gold hues illuminate moderately mirrored fields on each side of this beautifully preserved Gem proof. The design elements are boldly impressed, a characteristic of the restrike issue, and the surfaces fail to reveal any noticeable flaws. Rarely are early proof Seated dollars found in such condition, and only when the most advanced collections are offered do such examples become available, typically settling into strong hands for another prolonged hiatus from the numismatic scene.

This is a foremost and important opportunity for the specialist to acquire one of the most storied key dates in the series. PCGS has certified just 15 proofs in all grades, with three in PR65 and none finer. NGC has seen 13 restrike examples, including two PR65 coins and none finer (11/14).
Ex: Norweb III (Bowers and Merena, 11/1988), lot 3800; ANA Signature (Heritage, 7/2005), lot 10268; Anthony Terranova (11/2007). (Registry values: N10218)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# DN5B, PCGS# 6995, Greysheet# 7277)

Weight: 26.73 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS