1864 S$1 (J-397, low R-7) PCGS PR-66BN CAC - One of the numismatic fantasies produced at the Philadelphia Mint at a later time than noted on the coin. The reverse has the regular Seated silver dollar design, as was employed as usual in 1864. However, the reverse was not used for regular coinage until 1866, and was in 1864 only introduced on the unusual 2 cent denomination. These numismatic pieces are true fantasies, but are now collected as other true pattern varieties.

In one recent auction description of a similar coin of this issue, it was opted that this piece was created around 1871. The author believed that the clue that led to this conclusion lies in a die line in the motto, from the N in IN to the G in GOD. The only Proof reverse die that was found with the same characteristic was found on a number of 1871 Proof silver dollars. Although it was not mentioned if the present piece would have been struck before or after the 1871 Proof silver dollars, this scenario seems very likely.

Many rare issues were restruck in the 1860s and 1870s, when numismatics had become a popular pastime of many Americans. Besides restriking rare issues from the first three decades of the century, many fantasy pieces that previously did not exist were created as well. These pieces were solely minted for the intention of creating profit for the wallets of private Mint employees. Thanks to these employees, we now have a much larger field of United States patterns then we had without these pieces of art.

Although the present piece is correctly identified as being a fantasy piece, some have also placed it in the category of transitional patterns. Transitional patterns are pieces that were struck with a finalized design before it was actually employed for circulating coinage. However, usually, transitional pieces are only backdated one year, and not like this one two years. How this piece is correctly classified, however, is not as important as the rarity, with only a total of 6 pieces known to exist in all grades.

And this is a wonderful piece of this rare issue as well, tied for the finest example regardless of color designation. Although PCGS does not award Cameo designations to colored copper pieces, this piece no doubt should get one. Strong mirrors and frosted devices are seen, the main criteria for being deep cameo. The coin is toned to various wonderful colors when tilted to the light, and does not have any distracting marks. A rare opportunity for the silver dollar or pattern specialist!