1836 First Steam Coinage. Original Feb. 22 Date. Copper. 28 mm. By Christian Gobrecht. Julian MT-20. Specimen-15 (PCGS).

Handsome copper-brown surfaces with glints of sandy-tan intermingled on the reverse. A minor planchet flaw that is out of the way at the reverse border near the letter U in UNITED is as made, and there are no marks of consequence. All major design elements remain bold despite light to moderate wear. 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 certainly bears evidence of commercial use, and its offering in this sale represents a significant bidding opportunity for the specialist.