1836 First Steam Coinage Medal. Original Feb. 22 Date. Copper. 27 mm. By Christian Gobrecht. Julian MT-20a. Specimen-40 (PCGS).This U.S. Mint rarity was struck as a sample from the original Feb. 22 die before mechanical problems with the new press forced the postponement of its inauguration ceremony to March 23. The die was recut to read March 23 to adjust for the change, with all later pieces bearing the new date. The few known pieces with the original date are typically worn and/or impaired, perhaps because with the date change they had no real purpose, and since they were struck on large cent planchets were tempting to spend, fitting in among the Hard Times tokens in everyday circulation at the time. The present example is far superior to most, with uniform medium brown toning and fewer abrasions than expected for this type. An important offering for the specialist.From our Baltimore Auction of November 2015, lot 22505.
