1840 $1 PR(PCGS#6981)

December 2025 Showcase Auction - The James A. Stack, Sr. Collection Part I

Auktionator

Stack's Bowers

Losnummer

22085

Erhaltungsgrad

PR61

Preis

13.200

Losbeschreibung

This handsome specimen displays vividly toned surfaces dressed in a gentle mottling of steel-olive, pearl gray and reddish-gold iridescence. Both sides are sharply struck and highly reflective, as befits the method of manufacture. A die crack - rare for a Proof striking - at star 12 on the obverse is noted and confirms the later state of this die known to researchers Osburn and Cushing. There is a vertical pin scratch on the obverse, to the right of the date, that does much to explain the Proof-61 numeric grade from NGC, but also does yeoman's work as an identifier for provenance purposes.<p>While no actual record of the number of Proof 1840 dollars struck exists, today's numismatists feel that perhaps two dozen or so is an accurate assessment based on the number of specimens known. The <em>PCGS Population Report</em> suggests that only 15 to 20 examples are extant, despite the fact that PCGS and NGC combined have recorded 43 (!) grading events for this issue. Undoubtedly many resubmissions have occurred over the years, although it is also likely that the actual mintage may be somewhat more than 20 coins. Further evidence for the latter conclusion comes from the fact that Dick Osburn and Brian Cushing (<em>Liberty Seated Dollars: A Register of Die Varieties</em>, 2018) have identified five different die combinations for this issue. This is an unusually high number of die pairings for any pre-1858 Proof Liberty Seated issue that, regardless of how coins were produced, points to multiple striking periods. Indeed, during the 1840s the Mint struck Proof coins in (extremely) limited numbers on an as-needed basis, and with the circulation strike silver dollar produced in quantity for the first time since 1804 (using 1803-dated dies), it is easy to imagine the Mint receiving extra calls for Proofs at different times throughout calendar year 1840.<p>This is certainly a desirable representative example of a rare and numismatically significant issue that would serve as a focal point in any cabinet.