1876 George T. Morgan $100 Gold Union Pattern NGC Gem Proof Ultra Cameo (struck in 2009)

In 1876, Morgan (best known for designing the Morgan silver dollar) prepared designs for a high-denomination gold coin sometimes called a “Union” ($100). The project never advanced beyond the sketch stage—likely due to the coin’s enormous size/gold content and economic conditions of the time. Related $50 “Half-Union” patterns exist from 1877, but the full $100 Union remained only on paper. Morgan’s original sketches were later rediscovered in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Collection (around 2002–2006). Private mints, notably the New York Mint, then produced modern fantasy versions of the design in the mid-to-late 2000s (roughly 2005–2010 and beyond) as collectible medals or rounds, often marketed with Smithsonian ties or as “proposed design” pieces. These are not legal tender and carry no U.S. Mint authority.

The specific “1876 (struck 2009)” NGC Gem Proof Ultra Cameo pieces** are part of this private series. They typically feature:

- Obverse: Seated Liberty facing right (capped, holding an olive branch and scepter), with wheat stalks, a harbor scene with a ship in the background, 13 stars, “LIBERTY,” and the date 1876.

- Reverse: A heraldic eagle with outstretched wings perched on or holding a shield, often with arrows and an olive branch, plus inscriptions such as “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS.”

Most examples were struck in 1 troy ounce of .999 fine gold (sometimes labeled as a $100 piece, like the presently offered example) and certified by NGC as Gem Proof Ultra Cameo (high contrast between frosted devices and mirrored fields). Silver versions (commonly 1.5 oz .999 fine) were also produced in 2009 and other years. NGC holders often note “Private Issue,” “Proposed Design,” “Struck 2009,” or similar wording. Production was limited but not as tightly controlled as official Mint issues; exact mintages vary by year and metal, and slight design differences can appear across strikes.

These pieces are collected for their connection to Morgan’s artistry and the “what-if” history of the never-issued $100 Union, as well as their gold (or silver) content and proof quality. They appear regularly in auctions (Heritage, GreatCollections, Stack’s Bowers) and dealer inventories, usually priced primarily as bullion-plus-premium items rather than rare patterns. Values fluctuate with precious-metal prices; past auction results for 1 oz gold examples have varied widely depending on the market. They are genuine modern strikes of historical designs but should not be confused with authentic 19th-century U.S. Mint patterns.

In short: a privately struck, NGC-certified modern gold (or silver) medal/round that brings Morgan’s 1876 $100 Union sketches to life, produced around 2009 and certified as a Gem Proof Ultra Cameo.