Owner Comments:
1875 20C
Judd-1393, Pollock-1536
Rarity: Low R.7,
Ex: Denali Collection.
Struck in copper with a plain edge.
Obverse: William Barber's "Sailor Head" obverse design that shows Liberty facing left and wearing a coronet. Her hair is tied in the back with two ribbons, thus resembling a sailor's cap. This is combined with the drapery around her shoulders also gives the appearance of a collar as found on a sailor uniform.
Reverse: A three-pointed shield as the central motif with 20 sunken in the middle, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / CENTS around the margins. rays appear to come from the top of the shield and arrows and olive branches cross at the base.
Comment::
Orange-gold, plum-red, and lavender compete for territory across this intricately struck and contact-free specimen. Neither side shows any spots. The present design might have been more successful than the issued types, since no one would have confused the denomination with a Seated quarter
The Sailor Head design was also used on half eagle and eagle patterns of 1875, dollar patterns of 1876, and dime, quarter, half dollar, and dollar patterns of 1877 and Walter Breen also equate the bust with that of Queen Victoria's portrait "YOUNG HEAD"
Provenance/Appearances:
From Kagin's Mar 2018 ANA / Lot 1401; Prior From the Denali Collection; Superior May 2003 Pre Long Beach Sale / Lot 3452; Heritage Aug 2005 ANA /Lot 8286; Heritage’s Jan. 2013 FUN Orlando, /Lot #6724; Heritage Jun 2013 Long Beach / Lot #5525; Heritage Aug 1995 ANA / Lot #8286