A determination of original versus restrike status for Gobrecht Dollars will be reviewed based on coins from the National Coin Collection held at the Smithsonian Institution. Most of the information presented in this section was obtained from Richard Doty and Doug Mudd at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Some additional information concerning the Gobrecht dollars that were a part of the original US Mint Collection can be found in Reference 8. Four Gobrecht dollars currently reside in the Smithsonian Institution. There are two coins dated 1836 (J-60), one coin is dated 1838 and is a J-84, and the last coin is dated 1839 and is a J-104. The photos of these coins were taken by Doug Mudd and are shown in correct orientation. The die alignment configuration for these four Gobrecht dollars was obtained from Richard Doty at the Smithsonian and was independently verified by Douglas Mudd. 1836 (J-60) Proof-60, 416.8 grains, Gobrecht dollar in the National Coin Collection held by the Smithsonian Institution. This coin is in approximate die alignment I (coin turn) orientation and was a part of the US Mint Collection before being transferred to Smithsonian. This coin was made in December 1836. 1836 (J-60) Proof-55, 415.6 grains, Gobrecht dollar in the National Coin Collection held by the Smithsonian Institution. This coin is in die alignment I (coin turn) orientation and was NOT part of the US Mint Collection. It was donated to the Smithsonian by the Chase Manhattan Bank. This coin was made in December 1836. 1838 (J-84) Proof-60, 412.8 grains, Gobrecht dollar in the National Coin Collection held by the Smithsonian Institution. This coin is in approximate die alignment IV (medal turn) orientation and was a part of the US Mint Collection before being transferred to the Smithsonian. Probably made in either 1838 or 1839. 1839 (J-104) Proof-60, 412.9 grains, Gobrecht dollar in the National Coin Collection held by the Smithsonian Institution. This coin is in approximate die alignment IV (medal turn) orientation and was a part of the US Mint Collection before being transferred to the Smithsonian. This coin was probably made in December 1839. Note that the eagle is flying upwards (approximate die alignment I) for the two 1836 dollars. Also, the eagle is flying nearly level for the 1838 and 1839 dollars (both in approximate die alignment IV orientation). All photos from the Smithsonian are reproduced with permission, and the copyright for these photos remains with the Smithsonian. Further reproduction can only be made with written permission from Doug Mudd at the Smithsonian. Based on the weight and die alignment configuration for the 1836 dollar (J-60 coin) shown in Figure 6, and since this coin was a part of the original US Mint Collection, it is concluded that this 1836 dollar represents an original issue coin made in 1836. That is, the J-60 coin has the same characteristics of those coins known to have been made in December 1836, and has no characteristics of restrikes made many years later (e.g., no reverse die cracks). As for the other two Gobrecht dollars that were also part of the US Mint Collection; for instance, the 1838 and 1839 dollars, both of these coins are in approximate die alignment IV configuration - not die alignment I, and show no evidence of reverse die cracks, die rust marks, wire rims, or repolished dies (per information from Doug Mudd). In addition, the die alignment of the 1839 dollar is consistent with other 1839 dollars (see Figure 3) that are found in circulated condition and believed to be original coins. Certainly, the US Mint could have set aside or even made any die alignment coin for their collection that they wanted. In other words, why would the US Mint select an original 1836 dollar for their collection and then select restrikes for the 1838 and 1839 dollars? It doesn’t make sense that this would have happened. It also does not seem likely that the US Mint could have made two restrike dollars for their collection from perfect dies, especially if these coins were made in the late 1850's. It is far more likely that all of the Gobrecht dollars that were part of the original US Mint Collection are indeed originals; and therefore, both the 1838 and 1839 dollars, like the 1836 (J-60) dollar, are original issued coins. In addition to what is in the Smithsonian Collection, it is also interesting to note what is not present. For example, there is no J-58 (name-below-base) coin. Either no J-58 coins were in existence at the Mint when the US Mint Collection was begun in 1838, or it was decided by the Mint personnel to only select “regular” issue coins for the National Collection. Also, there is no J-105 (1839) dollar in the Smithsonian Collection, a coin known to be a true restrike made in the late 1850's or 1860's. In conclusion, the Smithsonian data is consistent with the theory that the original Gobrecht dollars dated 1838 and 1839 were made in die alignment IV from perfect (uncracked) reverse dies. Continue on to Soaring Eagle Theory or go back to Die Alignment Characteristics