Click to enlargeJ439/P512

Although these are described as regular die trial pieces in the standard references, it is more likely that the off-metal 'trials' of this year were deliberately struck for sale to collectors as part of complete gold sets of this year containing the with motto half eagle J445-J446/P517-P518, eagle J449-J450/P521-P522 and double eagle J452-J453/P524-P527.

At least the first 8 appear to be different examples: To view all available images, click here.

1) Mitchelson-Connecticut State Library

2) Stacks 9/89, Heritage 1/03 FUN, ANR 7/03 - PCGS65RB

3) Col Green, Newman, EPNNES-Heritage 4/13 as NGC64RB, StacksBowers 8/24 - NGC65RB, illustrated above, click on the thumbnail image to enlarge

4) Kreisberg-Schulman 4/67, Stacks Auction 86, MARCA 8/87, Goldberg 5/99 as PCGS64RB, Heritage 8/11 ANA, StacksBowers 8/14 ANA - NGC64RB

5) NERCA 7/79 ANA, Heritage 5/84, Queller-Heritage 1/09 FUN as NGC64BN, Simpson-Heritage 1/21 FUN, Heritage 8/24, StacksBowers 2/25 - PCGS64BN

6) Heritage 3/09 - PCGS64BN

7) Sweeney 4/72, Bass-B/M 5/99, Montgomery-Heritage 11/23 - NGC60 gilt

8) Heritage 7/97 ANA, Superior 6/98 as NGC62, Simpson-Heritage 2/21 - PCGS63 gilt

9) Kagins 8/83 ANA - proof 63bn, possibly one of above

10) French's 3/72 - XF, probably ex Farouk, possibly one of above

Photo courtesy of Heritage.