1838 $1 Gobrecht Silver Dollar, J-84 NGC PR63+ (CAC)

Heritage Auctions writes, “Judd-84 in Die Alignment IV is a notable rarity among Gobrecht dollars.”

The specialist in Gobrecht dollars should take a careful look at this listing. This beautiful original Gobrecht piece would be a dramatic addition to your collection. Just imagine holding it in your hand, calling it your own. NGC has graded 22 examples of the J-84. Of those, there is 1 in PR63+ with 14 finer. Plus the green CAC sticker gives this piece added cachet and value.

Christian Gobrecht, who designed the famous dollar that carries his name. Image: Wikimedia Commons.

The year 1838 saw an arc of 13 stars added to Gobrecht's Seated Liberty obverse. This element would be kept on the general issue of silver dollars that began in 1840. The engraver's name has been removed. The first mintage of this variety, believed to date from 1838, was struck in silver with a reeded edge, as would be the issues produced for circulation from 1840 to 1873.

The J-84 dollars are in Alignment IV: a medal rotation with the eagle flying level. These originals are from flawless dies, which distinguishes them from the Alignment III and Alignment IV restrikes, both of which were struck on cracked dies. Rated by Judd as R-5, NGC Coin Explorer reports that there are 31 to 75 known survivors (both originals and restrikes).