1
235
bid online at
(800) 978-COIN (2646)
|
Session Four - Tuesday, June 3, 2014 6:00 PM
T
IED
F
OR
F
INEST
1871 P
ATTERN
S
ILVER
D
OLLAR
Enlargement
1641
1871 Pattern Silver Dollar. Copper, Plain Edge. Judd-1148. Pollock-1290 Low Rarity 7
.
Ex Garrett 2/1980:1047
.
PCGS graded
Proof 66 Red & Brown PQ.
CAC Approved
. A wonderful rainbow toned proof. Tied for finest at PCGS. One of two reported in this grade
(the other appeared in a Stack's/Bowers June 2011 Baltimore sale and is mostly red without this coin's spectacular iridescent hues.) Bright
mint color has mellowed at the obverse rims to a rich pleasing maroon and violet, leaving orange-red centers, while the reverse is a splendid
deep violet-red. In describing this piece in 1980, Dave Bowers wrote that "the obverse is lightly toned to an orange hue. A deeper shade high-
lights the reverse which is predominately claret. A superb, pristine specimen which has never been cleaned and as such it is a great rarity."
Indeed, the immaculate surfaces show the natural planchet striations at a microscopic level without any post-striking disturbances. A tiny
planchet chip is noted above the last S in STATES on the reverse, two tiny flyspecks at the base of the flag and another at the juncture of Lib-
erty's thigh and the globe will identify this piece. The reverse die is the regular 1871 Proof die, now in a still later state with portions of the
inner circle almost worn into oblivion. No signs of double striking are noted, but the relief is very high with fully struck detail in all devices and
a high wire rim around much of the coin. Examining this coin at high magnification is a delight, but viewing it from arm's length is likewise a
treat. Even were it a piece without provenance it would still stand out from the rest of the known specimens only on the basis of condition,
but with the superb Haseltine-Garrett pedigree, this coin becomes the landmark example of the Judd-1148 variety.
Pop 2; none finer at
PCGS
. (
PCGS # 71410
)
From Bowers and Ruddy's sale of the Garrett Collection, Part II, March 1980, Lot 1047. Earlier from John Haseltine's 65th Sale, March 1883.
Haseltine married the daughter of William Idler, another leading Philadelphia dealer and frequent conduit for the sale of Patterns and delica-
cies from the Mint to collectors of the day. Haseltine likewise became a favored distributor for Patterns in this period and he may have
acquired this piece from the Mint before cataloguing his otherwise unspectacular 65th sale.
Estimated Value ................................................................................................................................................................... $25,000-UP
