for a mere $1.25M this little PR-65 beauty could be yours. Although you would be overpaying by about half a million. Minted sometime around the late 1830s, the 1801, 1802 and 1803 Draped Bust dollar proofs are all technically novodels. Unlike the common by comparison 1804, the 1801 has a population of only two coins, 1802 and 1803 are represented by only four coins each. It would be a monumental task to complete such a collection to say the least yet it has been done before. Who accepts the challenge?
I agree, but the 1804 is no different. You could also put the 1884 and 1885 Trade dollars and nearly all proof half cents in the same category, but that wouldn't stop me from adding any of these coins to my collection if I ever win the lottery.
It is a matter of debate as to when these coins were struck, but they were unknown until 1908 and there is no mint record that mentions their production. Later, in the 1930s, famed numismatist B. Max Mahl offered them in his catalog for $50 for the 1884 and $100 for the rarer 1885. Some people speculate that at one time he was in possession of all of the 1884 and 1885 Trade dollars. Where is a time machine when you need one?
Notice how the eagle is facing towards the arrows? ...very provocative! Btw, how does the eagle hold the olive branch with such a weak grip?
How would the dies even get made decades later ? The mint must have been one **** of a corrupt place to work for back in the day !
Ah, restrikes. Too bad the mint don't do that no more. Fun stuff....... It could fit rather well into their current business model. :devil:
The Mehl catalogs were his BUYING prices not his selling prices. Even in the 1930's the 1885 trade dollar was worth a lot more than $100 (but Mehl would GLADLY pay you $100 for one). Mehl sold coins by mail bid auction or by mail but for a LOT more than the prices listed in the catalog. While the dies would be destroyed at the end of each year (at least after the early 1870's), the hubs the dies were made from often were not.
