Owner Comments:
1875 $5 Sailor Head Five Dollar,
Judd-1439, Pollock-1582,
Rarity: Low R.7, PR65+ RB, CAC endorsed
Ex: Simpson.
Struck in copper with a reeded edge.
Obverse: William Barber's "Sailor Head" design with a left facing bust of Liberty on the obverse encircled by 13 stars around the periphery. Liberty is wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, the date 1875 is in the exergue.
Reverse: An eagle that is very similar to that used on both the Trade dollar and the twenty cent piece dominates the center of the reverse. E PLURIBUS UNUM is in the field above the eagle's head, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST is on a scroll in the lower field, and the legend and denomination are around the borders.
Comment:
This design was also used on twenty cent and eagle patterns of 1875, dollar patterns of 1876 and 1877, and dime, quarter, half dollar, and dollar patterns. About a dozen pieces are known in copper, several of them gilt. On this piece a significant portion of original reddish-yellow mint luster survives on each side, but blue-brown patina is also seen, especially over the central devices.
Die Alignment 180 Deg
In the auction “COIN A ND CURIOSITY SALE” By Messer Thomas Birch and Sons on March 30, 1876 lot 328 and 329 were a 2 copper pieces - a J1439 (5$) and J1444 ($10), as we know them today. However this may have been the 1st time that Director Linderman was aware that these patterns made their way out of the mint and into private hands evident by this letter to Pollock that he sent.
3/28/1876 - Director Linderman to Superintendent Pollock:
Sir: Your attention is invited to items 328-329 page 19 of the enclosed catalogue, from which it would appear that two experimental pieces, copper proofs of an Eagle and Half Eagle of 1875 are offered for sale and the statement made that only five pieces of each specimen have been struck. The pieces referred to, appear to have been received from some officer of the Mint, and I will thank you to make the necessary inquiry, and inform me how they found their way out of the Mint.
Provenance/Appearances:
Ex: Bob Simpson Heritage Aug 2001 ANA WFOM Auction / Lot #3197, Prior Bowers and Merena, Aug 12 1996 The Rarities Sale / Lot #485 (64RB)
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Sailer Head Gold Patterns
