Owner Comments:
1854 1C
Judd-159a, Pollock-186,
Rarity: High R.6, PF64
Struck in copper with a plain edge.
Obverse: Gobrecht's Liberty Seated motif, as seen on the circulating silver issues of the era, 13 thin, attenuated stars around Liberty, date below.
Reverse: 1 CENT within open-topped wreath of oak leaves and acorns, bow at bottom of wreath.
Comment: An unusual pattern variety. The obverse die was made by crudely reducing an 1854 silver dollar with a lathe, causing prominent concentric die lines and blurry design details. The date resembles 1851. The reverse shows 1 CENT encircled by an oak and acorn wreath. The while the die struck Judd-159 is a formidable rarity (two or three known) but its electrotype copper counterpart Judd-159a is somewhat more available but not by much with only 13 - 20 pieces believed to exist.
The original holder the edge was obscured by the encapsulation, which made it impossible to confirm the seam that distinguishes Judd-159a from Judd-159 was there. After having it re-holder PCGS confirmed it was a Judd-159. It was not until the 8th Edition of Judd reference book that the 2 different varieties were separated. Both sides exhibit a wire rim, especially steep on the obverse near 11 o'clock.
A sea-green and tan-brown near-Gem with a few tiny flan flaws on the central reverse.
Provenance/Appearances:
From The Tom & Jean Fore Collection. Heritage Jan 2016 - Tampa / Lot #6272;
Prior
- Dallas Signature (Heritage, 12/2004), lot 6346;
- Heritage Jan 29, 2005 Continuous Internet Auction / Lot #23425;
- Sherman's Obsessive Compulsive Collection, Stacks June 2010 Baltimore / Lot 3396;
- Stacks August 2011 Chicago ANA / Lot 9003;