NGC DISCOVERS PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN PATTERN
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Research Director David Lange identifies unique Plain-Edge variety.
 
Previously known only with a reeded edge, a rare aluminum pattern
dollar of the United States Mint has been confirmed as a unique plain-edge
striking. George T. Morgan's design for the goloid metric dollar of 1879
is known in goloid alloy, copper, aluminum and white metal, but all of
these varieties feature conventional reeded edges. The newly discovered
specimen coined with a plain collar is one of the aluminum impressions
This variety is listed in Dr. J. Hewitt Judd's reference as J-1633 and
in Andrew Pollock III's more recent book as P-1830. Pollock assigned a
rarity rating of R-7 for aluminum strikings, indicating a total population
of between four and twelve coins. Of course, with its plain edge the
specimen examined by NGC is presently unique.
This coin was submitted to Numismatic Guaranty Corporation's PHOTO
PROOF division as part of an "old time collection of patterns,"
in the words of Alhambra Coin Center's Mal Varner. The collection was
assembled during the 1930s and '40s. NGC Research Director David W. Lange
spotted the coin's anomalous edge while preparing the text for its PHOTO
PROOF and then contacted Andrew Pollock III. Both Varner and Pollock were
pleased with the discovery, and this variety will appear as P-1830a in
future editions of the Pollock reference. Since the coin hobby still
widely uses the older Judd numbering system, this variety will carry the
designation J-1633a in any future certifications.
Alhambra Coin Center may be reached at 626-282-1151. NGC may be
contacted by writing to PO Box 4776, Sarasota, FL 34230 or by calling
toll-free at 1-800-NGC-COIN (642-2646).
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