Owner Comments:
1879 10C Pattern Washlady Dime.
Judd-1585, Pollock-1778.
Rarity: High R.6. PR65 BN.
Struck in copper with reeded edge
Obverse: Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber's Washlady or Society Lady motif with a left facing head of Liberty. Liberty is wearing a headband inscribed LIBERTY and ornamented with ears of wheat, cotton leaves and bolls. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around the border and the date 1879 is below.
Reverse: A beaded circle encloses the denomination ONE DIME, outside of which is a wreath of wheat and cotton. The Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is inscribed within an ornamental cartouche above.
Comment:
The Washlady design is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful ever produced by the United States Mint and is one of the most eagerly sought patterns in today's market. At the time of their creation, however, the Washlady pieces were not held in as high esteem by contemporary collectors. The style of Liberty's hair, in particular, was widely criticized in that it gave the portrait a somewhat disheveled appearance. David Proskey is credited with the Washlady name as an expression of contemporary ridicule for this design, its first known use coming as part of New York Stamp and Coin's April 1891 sale of the F.W. Doughty Collection written as
” …. “ Wash-lady” type : profile I., with enormous head of hair, held together by nothing visible…” The modern term "Society Lady" is a more elegant description for this motif, but examples of this type continue to be most widely known by their traditional name.
The Washlady motif appears on pattern dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars of 1879, generally in either silver or copper, although unique white metal impressions are also known for the three largest denominations.
This piece has a deep copper-brown surfaces are enhanced by a light overlay of cobalt-blue patina. Essentially mark-free, just a couple of tiny flecks are noted on this sharply defined example.
Provenance/Appearances:
From Stacks and Bowers August 2021 ANA Auction / Lot 6295; Prior
- Superior May 2003 Pre-Long Beach Elite Coin Auction /Lot #3450,
- Superior Galleries Sept 1993, Worrell Collection /Lot# 608;
- Superior Galleries May 1990 Father Flanagan’s Boy Town Auction /Lot # 3305 (Not sold);
- Superior Galleries Oct 1990 /Lot #1858 (not sold)
- Superior Galleries, Oct 1989 /Lot #3219 The Jascha Heifetz Collection Sale
- Bowers & Ruddy Jul 1981 (William R. Sieck Collection) Lot 115, From William Mitkoff. Earlier from Bowers & Ruddy Galleries