I often say I am a walking source of Jeopardy level coin knowledge. I been playing with coins half a century and know at least a little bit on most things related to coins, but this has me stumped.... This was in today's Great Collections email. It is an 1849 pattern double eagle. And is an absolutely beautifully striking coin. However it was a private issue strike in 2009? Isn't a private issue strike simply bullion? And to further add to the confusion the label states it is part of the Smithsonian Collection? Why are we striking 170 year old pattern coins and why would the Smithsonian have interest in the piece?
The (unique) real one is in the Smithsonian. This is a bullion restrike of that piece, although I'm sure the seller would be happy to have it viewed as something more. I am a bit surprised to see "sneer quotes" on a TPG label. How long before they start adding emojis?
