1804 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. Private Restrike. Judd-31A, Pollock-6090. Rarity-8. Copper. Plain Edge. MS-63 BN (PCGS). CAC. CMQ.This intriguing and very rare type is a private striking made from dies that the Mint sold as scrap. The obverse appears to be that of the 1804 BD-4 variety, while the reverse may be that of the 1804 BD-7 pairing. These restrikes date to the 1860s and are possibly attributed to Joseph J. Mickley or Montroville Dickeson. Facts are scarce, as perhaps should be expected for a privately made numismatic delicacy of the mid-19th century. According to Don Taxay, the first example from these mismatched dies appeared in W. Elliott Woodwards Colburn sale. Per the <em>uspatterns.com</em> website, examples are known in silver and copper, both with a reeded or plain edge, as well as in tin with a plain edge. Only three copper impressions with a plain edge have been traced: the Byron Reed specimen impounded in the Durham museum; the present example; and another ex Simpson Collection specimen in PCGS MS-64 BN auctioned by Heritage in February 2021. Struck from nearly medallic alignment of the dies, this piece shows considerable evidence of die rust on both sides, as expected, although the reverse is quite sharply defined overall, while the obverse is suitably bold despite softness in the center and along the left border. Warmly toned in a blend of olive-gray and deep rose-brown, this is a fascinating piece that would serve as a prized addition to another advanced cabinet, be it focused on early U.S. Mint gold coinage or patterns and related pieces.PCGS# 11081. NGC ID: 2959.From the Chicago Collection. Earlier ex Southern collection; Heritages sale of the Simpson Collection, August 2021 ANA Signature Auction, lot 3036.
