1839 $1 J-104, Gobrecht Restrike PR(PCGS#11446)

June 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2164

Grade

PR64

Price

47,580

Lot Description

The rarity and widespread popularity of all Gobrecht dollars are sure to result in spirited bidding for this rare 1839-dated specimen. Minimally toned in iridescent gold, the surfaces present as brilliant at most viewing angles. As such, the diagnostics of late state restrikes of this Judd number are clearly seen, including reflective fields that host light die polish lines and the frosty texture to the eagle on the reverse. Also typical of a restrike of this Judd number, the strike is razor sharp to full throughout - including on Liberty's foot - and nicely showcases this iconic silver dollar design. Wispy hairlines are noted for accuracy, but there are no sizeable handling marks, and the in-hand appearance is relatively smooth in most viewing situations.<p>The original 1839 Gobrecht dollars, coined in the last week of that year, "are in Alignment IV, have weak mirrors, more [semi-prooflike] than fully [prooflike], and typically come with a weakly struck foot," according to <em>gobrechtdollars.com</em>, a website built by John W. Dannreuther, Saul Teichman, and Craig Sholley. Restrikes, by contrast, show "a strong mirror from polishing" and are better struck, "generally with a fully struck foot". Restrikes are "also rather easily distinguished from Originals by the very granular (rusty) letters and eagle," according to their study of the issue. These are further subdivided into early state, middle state, and late state restrikes. The offered specimen is a late state restrike as evidenced by, among other diagnostics listed above, a patch of die roughness and polish lines in the reverse field at the junction of the eagle's wing and tail. The <em>gobrechtdollars.com</em> website dates these late state restrikes to circa 1873-1874, during Henry R. Linderman's second term as Mint director, and observes that, "These are the last Gobrecht dollars struck."<p>Two major varieties of silver 1839 Gobrecht dollars with the starless reverse were produced: reeded edge Judd-104, offered here, and plain edge Judd-105, offered below. Judd-107 was struck from the same dies in copper, while Judd-108 (silver) and Judd-109 (copper) are mules struck during the Linderman era from Starry Reverse B (a.k.a. "The Cracked Reverse"). Judd-107 and Judd-109 are both unique, and Judd-108 is extremely rare, with just three specimens known. Though specimens of Judd-104 are somewhat more numerous, the 1839 as a date is the second rarest in the Gobrecht dollar series after 1838. Only 75 to 100 examples of the 1839 Judd-104 are believed extant (per the <em>uspatterns.com</em> website), a total that includes originals, about a dozen Die Alignment III restrikes, as well as additional restrikes in Die Alignment IV, as here.