Owner Comments:
1875 10$ Eagle Sailor Head
Judd-1444, Pollock-1588
Rarity: Low R.7
Struck in copper with a reeded edge
Obverse:
William Barber's Sailor Head design with a bust of Liberty facing left with thirteen stars encircle the periphery and the date 1875 is below.. She wears a coronet inscribed LIBERTY with a spray ornamenting the head piece. Her hair tied back with a ribbon The drapery that surrounds her shoulders is said to appear to be a collar that wold have appeared on a sailor uniform thus the terms "SAILOR HEAD"
Reverse:
An eagle that is very similar to that employed on the regular issue twenty cent piece and Trade dollar dominates the reverse. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is at the upper border and the denomination TEN DOLLARS is at the bottom. In addition, E PLURIBUS UNUM is in the field above and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST is on a scroll below the eagle.
Comment:
An attractive and RARE pattern for a proposed design change for the $10. Bold underlying mirrors show off a rich bronze patina while the surfaces are toned with a violet-cobalt blend that is dappled on the generally smooth surfaces. The design elements are very crisply struck and show full definition on both sides. The visual allure is original and very pleasing About a dozen pieces are known, a few of which have been gilt.. An attractive example of this popular design type.
In the auction “COIN A ND CURIOSITY SALE” By Messer Thomas Birch and Sons on March 30, 1876 lot 328 and 329 were a 2 copper pieces - a J1439 (5$) 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:
The Collection of William Rau Heritage April 2018 CSNS - Chicago / Lot #5105 Legends rare Coin Auctions Regency #27 July 2018, Great Collections March 2021, earlier appears similar to Black and White photo Lot 1524 Bowers & Merena June 2001 The Lake Geneva Sale