Owner Comments:
1863 1$
Judd-346, Pollock-418
Rarity: Low R.7, PR64 BN
Ex: Simpson
Also plate coin in the 8th addition of the Judd reference book
Struck in Copper with Reeded Edge
Obverse: The obverse die is the design used on regular-issue dollars in 1863.
Reverse: The reverse features the normal perched eagle design, with the addition of the scroll and motto IN GOD WE TRUST above the eagle's head as used in 1866.
Comment:
While traditionally called a "transitional" half dollar, this and other With Motto patterns were actually struck for the collector trade and were offered by the Mint with restrikes of other denominations as complete sets.
This is remarkably well-preserved example whose mellowed surfaces still retain a significant amount of underlying mint red. The fields are nicely mirrored with a strong presence of mint frost over the devices.
Pollock cites three auction appearances at the time of his reference work and two impounded specimens, in addition to two privately held specimens (the Bass and “Lemus” coins which have since been auctioned) plus one other example (that might be this coin) was also mentioned as having a 170“ die rotation as seen on this piece. Pollack cited that coin as held in a collection of a renowned Florida collector. The pedigree of the East Coast Collection auctioned in 2003 was at the time one of the most spectacular specialized collections of pattern dollars that Bowers and Merena had ever offer. They noted the collector had been assembled over the prior 16 years and the focus was the Liberty Seated motif patterns. This coin was the plate coin in the 8th addition of the Judd reference book
Provenance/Appearances:
Private sale Dec 2021; Prior From The Bob Simpson Collection Heritage Aug 2021 WFOM Signature Auction / Lot #3071, Prior
- ANR Sept 2003 Classic Sale – The East Coast Collection /Lot #54 ($12,650) NGC PR64:
- Superior Crouch June 1977 lot 505
- Stacks May 1970 Gaston DiBello Collection, Part II: Lot #403
-- JUDD reference book Plate Coin for Design in 7th and 8th editions