Owner Comments:
1870 $1 Standard Silver Dollar
Judd-1011, Pollock-1144
Rarity: Low R.7, PR64 RB CAC Endorsed
Ex: New Millennium Collection.
Struck in copper with a reeded edge.
Obverse: James B. Longacre's Indian Princess design featuring Liberty seated beside a globe, wearing an Indian headdress with 13 stars around. The word LIBERTY is inscribed across the center of the globe and Liberty is holding a pole topped with Phrygian cap.
Reverse: Features 1 DOLLAR encompassed by a wreath of cotton and corn and the word STANDARD at the top.
Comment: This design was apparently based on a sketch Longacre made prior to 1852, but it was not until 1870 that he made use of it and adapted it on a number of different pattern coins.
The strike is bold, nearly in high relief. The obverse shows full red color while there are just a few dabs of brown and blue patina in the fields on the reverse. Magnification shows numerous specks of carbon on each side, which accounts for the less-than-Gem grade.
Many patterns were struck twice by the dies. What makes this piece unusual is that the reverse die rotated a few degrees clockwise between the two blows, leaving all the legends and devices of the first impression as a faint remnant just to the left of the dominant strike. There is also another “1 DOLLAR” reverse example with similar double effect - an 1870 Judd-996 in a recent Heritage auction.
Provenance/ Appearance:
From Legends Auction May 2021, The Regency Auction 45 Lot 384; Prior
- Heritage Nov 2003 New York Signature Auction /Lot 11164;
- Heritage April 2011 Rosemont CSNS / Lot #5570 “THE NEW MILLENIUM COLLECTION”
- Stacks Mar 1976 (Special Selection Garrett Collection) Lot 649, Garrett /JHU