Few United States coins carry a backstory as unusual as the 1849 Gold Dollar pattern known as Judd-115. Numismatic research indicates that this piece stands apart from other U.S. coinage experiments of the era. Specifically, contemporary sources state that the design was engraved entirely by hand at the United States Mint, rather than produced with conventional coin dies.
Today, only four examples struck in gold are known. In addition, a small group of related pieces exists in other compositions. Because of this extreme rarity and its unusual method of manufacture, the Judd-115 pattern occupies a distinctive place in the early history of the gold dollar.
In January 2024, one example realized $105,000 at a Heritage Auctions sale, reflecting continued collector interest in this historic experimental issue.
The Historical Context of the 1849 Gold Dollar
The United States gold dollar debuted in 1849, during a period of rapid monetary change following the California Gold Rush. The first circulating type measured 13 millimeters in diameter, making it the smallest U.S. coin ever produced.
However, this extremely small size raised concerns at the Mint. Officials worried that the new coin might be confused with the half dime, which measured 15.5 millimeters in diameter. Although the difference seems clear today, the similarity worried Mint staff who considered the practical realities of circulation.
At the same time, Mint officials faced another technical challenge. Striking a coin both thin and extremely small in soft gold presented manufacturing difficulties. As a result, experimental pieces explored whether a larger diameter could improve production quality and public usability.
A Pattern Coin With a Larger Diameter
The Judd-115 pattern reflects this experimental effort. Unlike the circulating gold dollar, this pattern measures 16 millimeters in diameter, significantly larger than the adopted Type One design.
The larger planchet likely served two purposes:
- First, it reduced the possibility that the gold dollar might resemble a half dime in circulation.
- Second, it offered a wider surface that could improve strike quality for the new denomination.
Despite these potential advantages, the Mint ultimately retained the smaller diameter for the circulating coin.
Engraved Entirely by Hand
Numismatic researchers attribute the creation of the Judd-115 pattern to James Barton Longacre, who served as Chief Engraver of the United States Mint beginning in 1844.
Available research indicates that Longacre hand-cut each example individually, rather than preparing standard dies. Because of this process, every known specimen displays small differences in engraving details.
As a result, specialists consider each coin unique, even though they share the same basic design.
The reasons for this unusual production method remain uncertain. However, one explanation suggests that the work may have been completed quickly. If so, Longacre may have created the pieces directly by hand to produce experimental examples in a short timeframe.
Mint archival records from 1849 may provide additional clues about the development process. Researchers have suggested that further study of these documents could clarify whether early striking trials revealed production problems with the new denomination.
Known Examples in Gold
Numismatic records confirm four known Judd-115 patterns struck in gold.
Each example differs slightly in weight and alloy composition. For example, one specimen weighs 23.4 grains, making it heavier than the other documented pieces. The second-heaviest known example weighs 22.76 grains.
Metallurgical testing has also revealed variations in metal composition among surviving examples. One tested piece contains an alloy of approximately:
- 90% gold
- 3.5% silver
- 6.5% copper
Another known specimen has not yet undergone metallurgical testing, leaving its precise composition unconfirmed.
Related Pieces: Judd-116
Closely related patterns exist in another form cataloged as Judd-116. These pieces resemble the gold patterns but were traditionally described as gold-plated silver examples.
However, research conducted by numismatic specialists has raised questions about this classification. According to one dealer who handled multiple specimens and conducted research on the issue, four of five known pieces described as “gold-plated silver” appear instead to consist of approximately 14-karat gold.
Researchers have suggested that these planchets may have originated from gold watch cases, which would explain the unusual alloy composition.
Two specimens in this group weigh noticeably more than the others. Metallurgical analysis of one such example revealed a composition of approximately:
- 90% gold
- 10% combined silver and copper
Future testing of other examples may clarify the exact composition of additional pieces.
A Rare Experimental Chapter in Gold Dollar History
Today, the Judd-115 pattern remains one of the most unusual experimental coins associated with the creation of the U.S. gold dollar.
Its distinctive characteristics include:
- Extremely limited surviving population
- Variations in planchet composition
- Individual hand engraving rather than standard die production
Because of these factors, numismatists view the Judd-115 as an important artifact from the earliest stages of the gold dollar’s development.
Furthermore, the coin illustrates how Mint officials experimented with size, metal composition, and production methods before finalizing a new denomination for circulation.
The Modern Market for Judd-115
Public auction appearances of Judd-115 patterns remain rare due to the small number of surviving pieces.
When examples do appear, they attract significant attention from collectors specializing in pattern coinage and early gold issues. The $105,000 sale at Heritage Auctions in January 2024 provides a recent indication of the strong demand for this historic pattern.
Because only a handful of examples exist, each offering represents an important opportunity for collectors and researchers alike.
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Images of all of these can be found at https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/629493
Very cool article
Never saw this coming before. Interesting!
Enjoyed reading this article
Interesting re the counterfeit Morgan.
Beautiful Pre-War!!
Interesting design. I did not know this existed.
Very informative article
Really like the “homemade” look.
great info thanks
This experimental design reminds me of the old Chinese cash coins. Wild to know that the US Mint was tinkering with such a concept, at one point.
Great information!
Great information thank you
First rate socket wrench washer for sure.
Interesting article. Learn something new every day.
Very unique yet lovely coin!
Unique coin!! Way cool to read about
Wow! What a fantastic coin. Congratulations to the lucky few who own one!
The Judd-115 1849 gold specimen has only 4 known coins remaining. It would be nice to know the amount actually made if known. Does the square in the middle set the amount of gold in the coin?
Cool.
That’s a really neat design on the hand engraved gold dollar. Thanks for the article and history of this unique coin
Interesting. And to think he engraved them ny hand. Wonder if one or two might still be out there?
Awesome coin!
Thanks for the interesting article! This coin, entirely engraved by hand, really adds to this story.
Never knew they made this type of coin. Thanks!
Learned something new again this week!
An amazing and beautiful coin.
Another extremely educational article. THANKS !!
Whoa! Now that’s a coin!
The history and stories behind coins are what make numismatics so interesting.
Sweet!
Sweet!
What a very strange US coin.
Another great article!
Wow! That was a very interesting read!
how cool
That’s crazy looking1
If the 116 looks just like the 115, and the composition is also 90% gold, 10% silver and copper, shouldn’t they all be classified as 115’s? Wasn’t the only difference that some of them were considered, erroneously, to be gold-plated? And do we believe that someone tried to pass off a gold-plated coin as genuine, believing that they might be able to get away with it because each coin had a slightly different weight? Where else would a gold-plated coin have come from? Mr Longacre certainly had no reason to make one.
Great story.
nice looking coin
Wow such a great history lesson!!!
I never knew this existed.
Great history lesson
Incredible piece!
That’s a very interesting piece that I’ve never heard about.
I wish the mint experimented with modern currency, new designs or in this case, an old one, would be awesome
I wish my handmade coins had this kind of value.
Fancy
Fascinating article. Pattern coins always interested me, and I’ve only owned one, a large cent, out of 60 years of serious collecting. Most are out of reach, and hard to find.
Interesting that the mint experimented with really different designs
Interesting and educational article! Loved it!
Engraved by hand??? Super cool!
Fascinating article. Never heard of this coin before.
Interesting
Definitely not something they’d get away with today, let alone be willing to attempt. Very cool.
Great coin!
I have never seen this before. Thanks for all the info on it!
I had know idea something like that existed. Very cool. Good reading.
cool looking coins..great information..cool article..thank you
Truly a unique design and the fact that it is hand-made makes it a rarity
It makes you think there are more oddities out there to find
What a great coin! Never saw this coin before until now. Thanks for the educational article.
Didn’t know US minted any coins with hole in them!!
This is really cool coin! I had no idea that these were a thing.
Very interesting coin.
thank you for this information.