Barber Seated Liberty Patterns of 1870
J-878

Owner Comments:

1870 25C Standard Silver Quarter Dollar,
Judd-878, Pollock-975
Rarity: Low R.7, PR65 BN Cameo

Struck in copper with a reeded edge.

Obverse: William Barber rendition of the seated Liberty .Her left hand holding an olive branch and her right support a shield. A free standing liberty pole is behind the portrait, and a ribbon inscribed LIBERTY is draped over the shield. Thirteen stars encircle the periphery with the date 1870 below.
Reverse: The reverse has 25 CENTS in the center, surrounded by a thick agricultural wreath with STANDARD in small letters at the top.

Comment:
Judd-878 is part of the curious series of 1870 patterns with an unusual paring of an obverse and reverse that yields a coin without a country identification,. The "Brown Cameo" designation is not common but is accurate. The surfaces are teal and evenly balanced from side-to-side. When held beneath a light the devices definitely show mint frost against the deeply reflective mirrored fields A lovely piece to hold

Provenance:
Heritage Jan 2018 FUN Signature Auction – Tampa / Lot #5932;
Heifetz-Superior 10/89 lot 3231 as PCGS64BN