Owner Comments:
1858 25C Quarter Dollar
Judd-221, Pollock-264,
Rarity: High R.7, PR63
Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection.
Plate Coin for type in Andrew Pollock reference (Fig 115)
Struck in Silver with reeded Edge
Obverse: Liberty seated on rock, holding shield and liberty pole with cap, 13 stars around, date below base of rock.
Reverse: Eagle with outspread wings, shield on breast, sprig of olive and three slender arrows in its talons, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA QUARTER DOLLAR around.
Comment:
Anthony C. Paquet joined the Mint engraving department in 1857 and almost immediately starting preparing his own designs for several denominations. This example features the normal obverse employed for regular-issue coinage with a reverse design prepared by Paquet. Note especially the lettering that features tall, slender lines with extended serifs. The eagle is of different proportions with larger wings and smaller claws. Also note the delicate features of arrows and olive branch. All of these design elements point to Paquet as designer of this reverse. Although he also prepared other designs, Paquet is most known for his 1861 double eagle.
Saul Teichman of USPatterns.com has identified five distinct examples of Judd-221, including this Bass Core Collection example. This Select proof features gunmetal-blue and golden-olive patina overall with splashes of rainbow color on the reverse.
95.5 Grams, Dia .948 ", die Alignment 180 Deg
Provenance/Appearances:
From The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, Part I. Heritage Sept 29, 2022 29 Signature® Auction - Long Beach / Lot #11078, and the Plate Coin for type in Andrew Pollock reference (Fig 115)
Prior ANA Sale (Stack's, 8/1976), lot 3589.