User:RHM22/Gobrecht dollar
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The Gobrecht dollar was the first silver dollar minted for circulation by the United States Mint since production of that denomination was officially halted in 1806. The coin was minted in small numbers to determine whether or not the public would be receptive for a new silver dollar.
United States | |
Value | 1 U.S. dollar |
---|---|
Mass | 26.73 g |
Diameter | 38.1 mm |
Edge | Reeded |
Composition | 90% Silver 10% Copper |
Years of minting | 1836–1839 |
Obverse | |
Design | Seated Liberty |
Design date | 1836 |
Reverse | |
Design | Soaring bald eagle |
Design date | 1836 |
In 1835, Director of the United States Mint Samuel Moore resigned his post, and Robert M. Patterson assumed the position. Shortly after, Patterson began an attempt to redesign the nation's coinage. After Chief Engraver William Kneass suffered a stroke later that year, Christian Gobrecht was hired. On August 1, Patterson penned a letter to Philadelphia artist Thomas Sully laying out his plans for the dollar coin. He also propositioned Titian Peale to create a design for the coin. After the obverse and reverse designs were created and trials struck, production of the working dies began in September 1836.
After the initial small production, complaints were received regarding the prominent placement of Gobrecht's name on the dollar. As a result, the design was modified to incorporate his name in a less conspicuous position. In January 1837, the legal standard for silver coins was changed from 89.2% to 90%, and the Gobrecht dollars struck after that point reflect this change. In the mid-nineteenth century, Mint officials began restriking the coins without approval, causing a public controversy.