HBCC-6057        1865 dollar. Liberty Seated, With Motto. Silver. Judd-434, Pollock-507. Rarity-7. Obverse Design: Regular-issue die of the date.
Reverse Design: Very similar to the regular-issue die of the date, but with IN GOD WE TRUST on a ribbon above the eagle.
Physical Description: Deep lilac gray with rich slate toning on the design elements.
Die Notes and Comments. This specimen exhibits an interesting feature at the date. Apparently, this coin was struck over another Liberty Seated dollar. In the catalogue of the Fairfield Collection, where this rare die anomaly was first discussed, it was noted that the undertype was a dollar of 1866, suggesting that the present specimen is a back-dated piece, and was struck in 1866 and made especially for a collector of that era (as was the extremely rare 1866 dollar without the motto on the reverse, of which just two specimens are known). Careful examination of the present piece suggests that the undertype may be a dollar of 1853 (!), as the numerals at the date suggest a 5 3, rather than a 6 6.
There was no particular reason in the normal course of making patterns to use an already struck earlier-dated coin as a planchet. It may be presumed that this pattern was struck on a coin furnished by the person who received it—perhaps a Mint official who then resold it into the private market.
Provenance: From Bowers and Ruddy's sale of the Fairfield Collection, October 1977, Lot 32, via Michael G. Brownlee (Goliad), who was paid 10% for bidding. The Fairfield cabinet, formed by a Connecticut numismatist, was one of the highest-quality auction offerings of the 1970s.
Specifications: Weight: 399.5 grains. • Diameter: 37.7 millimeters. • Edge: Reeded.
Harry W. Bass, Jr. Commentary: "B&R made close-up photo of date area. 1865 struck over 1866!" Inventory number: 17892.

HOME | ABOUT | GALLERY | GOLD | CURRENCY | PATTERNS | RESOURCES | SITEMAP

Legal Notice | Copyright © 2000 Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation. All Rights Reserved.