1839 Gobrecht Silver Dollar – The Final Year of a Short-Lived Masterpiece
The 1839 Gobrecht Dollar marks the final chapter in one of the most artistically celebrated and historically significant coin designs in American numismatics. Struck as a continuation of the experimental silver dollar series that began in 1836, the 1839 issue retained Christian Gobrecht’s soaring “flying eagle” reverse, a bold and dynamic departure from the more traditional heraldic motifs of earlier decades. The obverse features Seated Liberty, a design that would evolve to dominate U.S. silver coinage for half a century.
Unlike the 1836-dated coins, which included business strikes intended for circulation, the 1839 Gobrecht Dollars are generally considered presentation pieces or patterns, with most known examples struck in Proof format. Many were restruck in later years, using original dies, for collectors during periods of heightened demand—especially as the silver dollar denomination had been absent from production since 1803, with the exception of the special 1804 diplomatic issues struck in 1834.
The 1839 issue is particularly notable as it bridges the gap between early American coinage and the re-establishment of the silver dollar in 1840, which featured a new reverse based on the more conservative heraldic eagle seen on contemporary gold coinage. This final-year design is not only scarce but also revered for its aesthetic grandeur and transitional importance.
Collectibility & Market Appeal
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Type Status: Last year of the Gobrecht “Flying Eagle” design
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Rarity: Scarce in all grades; most known examples are restrikes
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Striking Format: Primarily seen in Proof and Presentation strikes
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Historical Significance: Marks the end of experimental silver dollars and precedes the launch of the Liberty Seated Dollar series
Collectors seeking an example of this elegant and short-lived type will find the 1839 Gobrecht Dollar to be a cornerstone piece—highly prized for its artistry, low survival rate, and critical place in the reintroduction of the silver dollar denomination in U.S. coinage history.
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