The U.S. produced gold coins from 1795 to 1933, starting with denominations of $2.50, $5, and $10. More denominations were added after the discovery of gold in California – $1 in 1849 and $20 in 1850. Minted in one of the world’s most precious metals, these historic coins were designed by some of the finest artists of the day.

With the passing of the Coinage Act of June 28, 1834, the authorized weight of gold coins was reduced. Because early gold pieces minted between 1795 and 1834 contain some of the rarest dates, many collectors choose to start their collections with Classic Head gold pieces of 1834.

The Harry Bass Type Set includes examples of these later issue gold coins, 1834-1933, by design types, in all six denominations of the period.  (Photograph by Douglas Plasencia)

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Any discussion of die states considers the specific condition of both the obverse and reverse dies when a given coin was struck. In nearly all cases, the actual dies no longer exist. Thus surviving coins provide the only evidence available today.

During use, the dies developed certain defects – or “characteristics” – including die cracks, die breaks, clash marks, die rust, and lapping or polishing lines. Occasionally, some of these defects occurred during the die manufacturing process (sometimes from internal metal stress), even before the first coins were struck. To the knowledgeable numismatist, such characteristics often enhance the value of a coin.  (Photograph by Douglas Plasencia)

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A die variety is any variation in the normal design of a given coin, usually caused by errors in the preparation or maintenance of the coin dies. Typical die varieties include doubled dies; repunched mintmarks and dates; variations in the placement or alignment of mintmarks, letters and numbers, devices, etc.; changes to the die surfaces from over-polishing or die clashes; and a number of other minor variations in the final strike of the coin.

One must be careful not to confuse die varieties with error coins, which have variations in their appearance as a result of the manufacturing process itself, such as off-center strikes, wrong planchet types, planchet preparation mistakes, etc.  (Photograph by Douglas Plasencia)

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Harry Bass acquired at least one example of each date and mint of $3 gold coin from 1854-1889, and for some, duplicates illustrating different finishes or varieties.

The Core Collection consists of a complete run of proof coins from the first year of issue (1854) to the last (1889), plus circulation strikes of the branch mint issues.

This accomplishment is only feasible with the inclusion of the unique 1870-S $3 gold coin, which Harry Bass acquired at the historic Eliasberg Sale in 1982. Today this set stands as the ultimate in existence anywhere. (Photograph by Douglas Plasencia )

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The field of patterns is so vast that Harry, like other collectors of the past, zeroed in on items that he found to be of special interest. He later determined that his favorite pieces were those associated with the year 1877, particularly the pattern half dollars which were made in a wide number of die varieties and combinations.

He also contemplated acquiring patterns and trial pieces in many other series, preferably in the metal in which related regular coins were issued. That is, for patterns of silver denominations, from the tiny three-cent piece to the large dollars and trade dollars, he sought impressions made in silver, paying less attention to off-metal strikes in such compositions as bronze or aluminum. For the gold denominations he sought impressions actually made in gold, although such pieces were scarcely ever available. (Photograph by Douglas Plasencia )

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