Prototypes
Numerous Liberty Dollar and third-party prototypes exist, each with distinct characteristics and historical significance.
Documented through the records and collections of Ron Goodger, Sterling Ward, and other collectors, these prototypes include various features such as varied obverse and reverse design combinations, copper test strikes initially intended for different metals, and other unique variations.
These pieces not only provide insight into the experimental stages of Liberty Dollar production, but also into the ever-growing collection. This page will continue to expand as more pieces are discovered. This reflects the extensive variety of Liberty Dollars created over the years, and there are likely many examples still awaiting discovery.
$5 Dateless 1/10th Ounce
One of the prototypes highlighted by Ron Goodger is a dateless 1/10th-ounce silver piece. He discovered it in a small collection he purchased from an individual highly regarded by BVNH. Bernard gave this piece to the individual as a token of appreciation for his support of Liberty Dollar. Ron was unaware of its existence until he examined the collection in late 2010. Bernard confirmed that Liberty Dollar produced this piece and that it is extremely rare, with fewer than ten known to exist.
This prototype shares the same diameter (22mm) and thickness (1.05mm vs. 1.25mm) as the $50 base, 1/10th ounce $5 piece. However, both dies are different. It features a torch on the back instead of the 'naked' back of the production piece and has the old USA Obverse instead of the dated Obverse used starting in 2007. These details suggest it was minted before 2007.
The photo above shows the obverse and reverse of the prototype (right) compared to the production piece (left).
2009 $20 Freedom Naked Back
This prototype is the 2009 one-ounce Freedom Naked back, produced in both silver and bronze. These samples are of excellent quality, on par with the 2008 $20 Naked back and surpassing the Freedom torch back. According to Ron Goodger, only five of each were made and only three sets are known to have reached collectors.
2009 Liberty Copper Mule Type I (Reeded Edge)
In 2009, Jeff Kotchounian discovered a unique Liberty Dollar prototype at a mint being considered for one-ounce copper piece production. The mint used a Liberty Dollar obverse die for trial strikes, pairing it with a generic heraldic eagle die on the reverse. Jeff acquired some of these rare pieces, of which fewer than 30 exist, and sold a few to top collectors. The quality is remarkable, far superior to other Liberty Dollar copper samples, though production never proceeded due to high costs that would have exceeded the intended one-dollar face value. This piece, known as the "Copper Mule," is so named because it combines mismatched obverse and reverse dies.
2009 Liberty Copper Mule Type II (Smooth Edge)
While photographing these pieces, Ron Goodger observed a subtle difference: one had a smooth, un-reeded edge, while the other featured a reeded edge. After carefully examining both specimens, he confirmed that the dies used were identical. Type I, likely created many years before Type II, was minted with a reeded or grooved collar. This collar produces the reeded edge by imprinting grooves on the coin simultaneously as a pair of dies strike it. In contrast, Type II was minted without this collar, likely at a different facility.
This discovery revealed at least two distinct varieties of this particular copper mule, each with a unique edge finish. This distinction underscores the production variations even within limited runs, making each type a fascinating find for collectors.
2009 Liberty Copper Mule Type I & Type II
2009 $50 Torch Back Prototype
The $50 Torch Back is an exceptionally rare Liberty Dollar prototype, with very few believed to have been produced. The FBI likely seized some of these prototypes during their raid, though the exact number remains unknown. This scarcity makes the $50 Torch Back a sought-after piece among Liberty Dollar collectors.
The only other $50 one-ounce silver pieces released into production were the Naked Back and Tenth Anniversary versions, further highlighting the uniqueness of the Torch Back prototype within the series.
2010 $50 1oz Copper Aspen Dollar (Silver Die)
The 2010 Copper Aspen Dollar is an example of the standard die, typically reserved for silver, being struck on a copper planchet. This picture is from the piece in my personal collection. While the exact number produced is unknown, it is believed that this was from testing the die on copper planchets before moving on to the intended silver strikes, which were likely not intended for public distribution.
This piece provides collectors with a view into the trial production processes and the unintentional variations that emerged in the Liberty Dollar series.
1992 1/10oz Silver Hawaii Salute
The 1992 1/10oz Silver Hawaii Salute is listed as #1007 in The Liberty Dollar book, and is a fascinating example of an unusual production choice. This piece, edited from a photo shared by Sterling Ward, showcases the rare occurrence of a gold die being used to strike a silver planchet. The 'S' Stamped on the reverse indicates that it is silver (other metals like platinum were used as well) and these were likely test strikes. It’s estimated that only 20-30 of these pieces were produced, making them a coveted item for those seeking unique variations and prototypes of the Liberty Dollar.
2009 Bud's Gun Shop Prototype 1 oz Bronze (Test Strike)
This 1 oz bronze test strike was produced in 2009 as a prototype for Bud's Gun Shop's $20 silver piece. It was struck using a die originally designed for silver rounds. This test strike is significant because it is purportedly the only known example struck in bronze.
Test strikes are typically used to evaluate the die and striking process before full production of more expensive materials, such as silver. This bronze piece was not part of any regular production run.