Owner Comments:
1878 $5 Five Dollar,
Judd-1573, Pollock-1762,
Rarity High R.7, PR64 BN
Ex: HW Bass, Jr. Collection & Pollock Plate Coin Fig 489
Struck in copper with a reeded edge.
Obverse: Head of liberty facing left with motto using pellets - E * PLURIBUS * UNUM around the bust and with date 1878 below. The bust neck almost touches the millings. Liberty hair is tied in a bun, and a band extending back from Liberty forehead is inscribed LIBERTY.
Reverse: Eagle with spread wings holding an olive branch in its right talon and 3 arrows in its right. United States of America is above the eagle and denomination FIVE DOLLARS is below with a Period on each side.
Comment:
Judd-1573 is one of several different 1878 five dollar patterns, many of which (including Judd-1573) were designed by George T. Morgan. Judd-1566 through Judd-1573a are similar, but Judd-1573 is identified by two characteristics. The required motto IN GOD WE TRUST is absent, and there are periods (or stops) between the peripheral legends on both the obverse and reverse. The diameter is considerable larger than the 5 $ gold pieces.
Scattered toning spots are evident on both sides of this sharply detailed proof that displays reflective fields and lovely chocolate-brown surfaces. USPatterns.com identifies four examples of Judd-1573, including two gilt and two non-gilt and one of these is impounded at the Connecticut State Library. One or two others may exist.
69.5 Grains, 1.004 Diameter
Provenance/Appearances:
From The Estate of Charles W. Montgomery, Heritage Nov 2023 /Lot #3209
Ex: Stanley Kesselman (8/1971); Harry W. Bass, Jr. (Bowers and Merena, 5/1999), lot 1370; Bowers and Merena (3/2000), lot 2042.
Plate coin for Pollock’s Pattern reference as figure 489