Owner Comments:
1870 P5C Half Dime,
Judd-819, Pollock-909,
Rarity: High R.7, PR65 Cameo CAC Endorsed
Ex: Denali Collection.
Struck in aluminum with a reeded edge
Obverse: A seated Liberty faces left while supporting a shield with a scroll inscribed with LIBERTY on her right side and holding an olive branch in her left hand. A Phyrgian cap and pole are suspended in the background. UNITED STATES / OF AMERICA occupies the periphery with the date, 1870, in exergue.
Reverse: A regular 1870 half dime reverse die was used to strike the Judd-815 through Judd-820 patterns. HALF DIME is enclosed within a wreath of corn, wheat, oak, and maple, tied with a bow at the bottom.
Comment: The surfaces are bright and show no traces of oxidation. The devices are thickly frosted against the deeply reflective fields. An interesting lintmark (as coined) is located in the left obverse field. The high quality within the grade is confirmed by CAC. Population:
The acquisition of a Judd-819 pattern--currently considered a High R.7 variety with less than six examples known--in any condition is cause to celebrate. US Patterns states they believe only 3 – 4 may exists. Pollock identified a mere three specimens in his 1994 pattern treatise, inclusive of Lemus piece. The Dannreuther-Garrett compilation of auction records between 1990 and 2005 failed to record a single instance of a Judd-819 pattern--an astonishing testimonial to the absolute rarity of this issue.
My own records dating back to 1969 shows only 8 appearances. This piece showed up 4 times, and the Simpson, piece was the Reed Hawn Collection (Stack's, 3/1977), lot 767 , and the Lemus Collection, Queller Family Collection Heritage 2009 - that made up other 3 of the appearances. The Bowers & Ruddy Jul 1981 (William R. Sieck Collection) Lot 68 was also the Farouk Sept 1954 piece and makes up 1. The Christies Sept 1988 sale lot 584 might be this example
Provenance/Appearances:
From The Boulder City Collection. Heritage May 2022 The Boulder City Collection Showcase Auction / Lot #44227; Priors
- Chicago Signature (Heritage, 8/2011), lot 5262,
- Heritage Aug 2013 Rosemont / Lot #5960;
- Heritage Jan 2015 FUN Orlando / Lot #6734