January 25-28, 2004, The Pre-Long Beach Coin & Currency Auction
Sale 23

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Patterns

Choice Proof Restrike 1838 Judd-84

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3074    1838 Pattern Dollar. Silver, reeded edge. Restrike. J-84, Rarity-5. PCGS graded Proof 63. PQ. Die Alignment III (eagle flies level; Liberty's head is opposite the N of ONE). Reflective Proof fields and bright, shimmering surfaces overlaid with a lovely, gun-metal gray toning. Lightly hairlined, mostly on the reverse; hence the PR-63 grade. Of the three dates in the Gobrecht series (1836, 1838, and 1839), the 1838 is believed to be the rarest. PCGS reports 9 at this level; 4 in PR-64, and 1 in PR-65, thus making this one of the better-preserved examples.
Restrikes of the 1838 Gobrecht Dllar were made in the 1850's (one is known struck over an 1859 Silver Dollar!) to satisfy collector demand. While ethical questions can be raised about such activities, the 1838 Gobrecht Dollar would be an extreme rarity today if no Restrikes were made at all! Color photo.
Estimated Value $40,000-45,000.
 

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3075    1859 Pattern Cent. Copper-nickel, plain edge. Judd-228. Pollock-272 Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-64. One of the more popular Pattern coins that shows the subtle transition to the shield type reverse on the Indian Cent. Well struck and a nice example for a Mint State Pattern. Housed in an older-generation, green-label PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $1,150-1,300.
 

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3076    c. 1859 Uniface Die Trail in Lead of Longacre's "French" Liberty Head. AU-50. Judd A1859-7. One of three known. Listed and illustrated on page 310 of the new 8th edition of the Judd Pattern reference, where the metal is listed as "White Metal." This variety was never used on an actual Pattern or regular issue coin, but a similar head appears on Judd numbers 237-246. A very unusual piece that is sure to titillate the advanced Pattern collector. In custom wood display box.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
 
3077    1859 Pattern Half Dollar in lead. Reeded edge. Type of Judd-247. Pollock-286 Electrotype. Good-5. Date of origin uncertain.
Estimated Value $50-75.
 

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3078    1863 Pattern Cent. Bronze, plain edge. Judd-299. Pollock-359 Rarity-3. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red & Brown. Another example of this Judd number, here in full Gem Proof condition. The color is a pleasing, orange-red, with a nice even patina over the entire surfaces. Turned at just the right angle under a light source, the surfaces become blinding. Tiny stain at the top left tip of the wreath. Excellent quality for the advanced Pattern collector. Housed in an older-generation, green-label PCGS holder. PCGS reports 17 in this grade, with only one finer (a Proof-66 RB). Color photo.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,700.
 

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3079    1863 Pattern Cent. Bronze, plain edge. Judd-299. Pollock-359 Rarity-3. PCGS graded Proof 64 Brown. Another of the thin planchet, Bronze strikings of 1863, here in a crisply struck Proof version. The color is almost entirely brown, but the surfaces are glossy and reflective. Housed in an older-generation, green-label PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,400.
 

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3080    1863 Pattern Cent. Bronze, plain edge. Judd-299. Pollock-359 Rarity-3. PCGS graded Proof 63 Brown. Deep, reddish-brown, with faint traces of faded mint luster. Struck on the thinner Bronze planchet that first came into use on the regular issue Cents of 1864.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
 

The Judd Plate Coin!

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3081    1865 Pattern Dollar. Copper, reeded edge. J-435, Rarity-7. NGC graded Proof 65 Red & Brown. The plate coin for the variety in the newest (8th) edition of Judd. This is the finest example graded by NGC. From a recent ANR sale, where it was described, in part, as follows: ".Lively mirrored fields show deep resonant rose toning and light brown highlights with some pale olive toning at the peripheries. Excellent surface quality with no significant disturbances. Two tiny spots are present at Liberty's wrist beside star 2, another is mentioned below the cut end of the olive branch above D in DOL. Struck from the same dies as Judd-434, and about equally rare with perhaps a dozen known and at least three impounded in institutional collections.Pollock found only seven appearances with possible duplication. PCGS and NGC have graded four specimens each; this is the finest certified by NGC.The finest graded by PCGS is a single PR-66 RB." This may be the last chance to purchase this specimen for many years to come. Color photo.
Estimated Value $17,000-22,000.
Dr. Walace Lee - Auctions by Bowers and Merena, Inc., January 1999, Lot 303 - "Share" Collection - American Numismatic Rarities "The Classics Sale", September 13, 2003, Lot 59.
 

1865 "With Motto" Copper Dollar

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3082    1865 Pattern Dollar. Copper, reeded edge. J-435. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red & Brown. Lovely, orange red surfaces, completely original and unmolested, with traces of faded mint luster in the protected areas. The obverse consists of a die used on regular issue 1865 Silver Dollars; the reverse is from the With Motto type that did not appear on regular issue coins until 1866. According to the U.S. Patterns website (www.uspatterns.com): "These and the other "with motto" patterns of this date and also 1863 and 1864 are actually restrikes made circa 1868 to the early 1870s and offered with restrikes of other denominations in complete sets. The first definite sales occurrence for an 1865 with motto set was in the October 1870 Mason & Company sale of the Fewsmith collection. A possible earlier listing may be Cogan's September 1869 sale." Their date of manufacture has never diminished their popularity.
This is one of the nicer examples of the dozen or so that are known to exist. In top conditions, PCGS reports a PR-63RB, this example, and a PR-66 RB. Color photo.
Estimated Value $10,000-12,000.
 

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3083    1866 Pattern Cent. Copper-nickel, plain edge. Judd-456. Pollock-530, Low Rarity 7. NGC graded MS-65. A bright, well-struck coin with a light streak of color on the upper left obverse. This variety is known in both Proof and Mint State, thick and thin versions. Only two Mint State examples have been graded by PCGS and NGC combined, this being exceeded only by an NGC MS-66. The weight is not indicated on the holder, but this appears to be struck on a thin planchet. Why the Mint was experimenting with an alloy that had already been retired from use in 1864 is an interesting, unanswered question.
Estimated Value $4,250-4,750.
 

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3084    1866 Pattern Five Cents. Nickel, plain edge. J-507. Rarity 5. NGC graded Proof 66. The regular Shield nickel die for the year with the regular die without rays adopted the following year. A highly important transitional pattern. A brilliant gem specimen with full mirror fields and good contrast. Population of 4 with 1 higher by a point.
Estimated Value $4,000-4,500.
 

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3085    1868 Pattern Three Cents. Copper, plain edge. J-616, Rarity-6. NGC graded Proof 66 Star Brown. Stunning, red-brown surfaces with glittering blue iridescence dancing on the high points. Struck on a Cent-sized planchet. This variety combined the regular obverse die with a reverse that looks an awful lot like that of a Flying Eagle Cent with ONE CENT replaced by a Roman numeral III. This is the finest example graded by either NGC or PCGS. Color photo.
Estimated Value $5,000-5,500.
 

1868 Pattern Half Dime. Nickel, plain edge

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3086    1868 Pattern Half Dime. Nickel, plain edge. Judd-638. Pollock-710, Low Rarity-6. PCGS graded MS-65. Whitish in color, almost silver in appearance, thus to the uninitiated eye, this looks like a regular Half Dime of 1868. However, the plain edge gives the piece away as a rare die trial made of Nickel. Why these pieces were made is a mystery (they were also struck in Copper and Aluminum), but they are now a happy part of the U.S. Pattern family -- and eagerly collected as such. Interestingly, this piece was made as a circulation strike and not as a Proof, making it the only Mint State graded example certified by either NGC or PCGS.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
 

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3087    1869 Pattern Three Cents. Nickel, plain edge. Judd-676. Pollock-753, Rarity-5. PCGS graded Proof 50. This one must have circulated for a time before being recognized as a scarce pattern issue. Natural steel gray color and well struck.
Estimated Value $500-600.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on May 27, 1944 for $1.75.
 

Extremely Rare 1869 Dime in Copper

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3088    1869 Pattern Dime. Copper, reeded edge. Judd-718. Pollock-799, High Rarity-7. NGC graded Proof 65 Brown. Regular dies of the year. Orange-brown on the obverse; steel-blue and gold on the reverse. Excellent quality.easily one of the top five examples known. Only four examples have been graded by NGC and PCGS combined - this is third best of the four (PCGS PR-64 BN, NGC PR-65 BN, PCGS PR-65 RB, and NGC PR-66 RB). Color photo.
Estimated Value $7,250-7,750.
 

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3089    1869 Pattern Quarter Dollar. Silver, reeded edge. Judd-727. Pollock-808. High Rarity 6. PCGS graded MS-62 PQ. Well struck with full mirror surfaces against frosty devices, all lightly toned. We note a scattering of light hairlines that we suspect most are in the holder and not on the coin. In a 1st generation PCGS slab. Pop of 1 with 2 in MS-63 and 1 in MS-64.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
 

Red Gem 1871 Pattern Silver Dollar in Copper

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3090    1871 Pattern Silver Dollar. Copper, reeded edge. J-1147, R.6. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. A remarkable, nearly full red example of Longacre's popular Indian Princess design. Housed in an older-generation, green label PCGS holder, thus hinting at the possibility of an upgrade. Tied for the finest graded at both services, with a population of only three examples in this grade at PCGS.
The Indian Princess was one of the icons used to represent America in the late to early 1800's; the use of the image in 1871 was a bit of an anachronism, but it was also part of America's fascination with its indigenous people. The reverse featured the "With Motto" design type used on regular issue Silver Dollars of the period. Color photo.
Estimated Value $14,000-16,000.
 

Judd 1156, One of Only Two or Three Known

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3091    1871 Pattern Commercial Dollar. Copper, reeded edge. J-1156, R.8. PCGS graded Proof 63 Brown PQ. An extremely rare example of the Commercial Trade Dollar Pattern issued in 1871. This one features a rich, brick-red color, with some steel iridescence on the reverse. The color is nowhere near brown, but consists mostly of faded mint red. To date, this is the only example graded by either service; it was just certified in October 2003. Said by the consignor to be from an old Eastern estate purchased in the 1940's.
How rare is Judd 1156? The new Judd "Pattern Coins" book (edited by Q. David Bowers) had to reach all the way back to 1987, when Rarcoa sold a PR-65 example for $9,350. The Pattern Coins website (a wonderful resource for pattern collectors at www.uspatterns.com) cites the Joseph Mitchelson coin in the Connecticut State Library and the Farouk coin as two examples known to them. Assuming no duplication, the maximum population is four specimens; with duplication, the number drops. Regardless of the number of known specimens, the important word here is "opportunity": this is the first chance to purchase this Judd number that collectors have had since 1987! Color photo.
Estimated Value $25,000-30,000.
 

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3092    1873 Pattern Trade Dollar. Silver, reeded edge. Judd-1315, Pollock-1458, R.4. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo. Attractively toned in mottled sky-blue and russet iridescence, which run in alternating bands on both sides. This design is attributed to Joseph Bailly. Miss Liberty appears almost dejected, with her head tilted slightly downward and her body with a slouched appearance. She sits on a rock, a globe in her left hand, and various agricultural products cluttered around her. While this design was rejected for use on circulation strike Trade Dollars, it remains one of the most popular designs today. Of all the variants of this type (Judd 1315-1319), this is the collector's best, most affordable opportunity. The fact that it is in the intended metal (silver) makes it all the more desirable.
Estimated Value $5,000-5,500.
 

1874 Pattern Dime. Copper, reeded edge

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3093    1874 Pattern Dime. Copper, reeded edge. Judd-1352. Pollock-1496 Rarity High 7. PCGS graded Proof 62 Red. The regular issue with arrows struck in copper. Some faint hairlines and a fly speck or two are note; who really cares since this is the only coin graded at any of the services. Pop of 1..
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
 

The Finest Known 1879 Pattern "Washlady" Dime

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3094    1879 Pattern Dime. Silver, reeded edge. J-1584, Low Rarity-6. NGC graded Proof 68. A remarkable coin that can only be described as stunning! Technically perfect, visually perfect, this coin has everything going for it -- except that the cameo contrast isn't mentioned on the holder! The high points on both sides are a soft blue color and the outer rims are blessed with an iridescent wine-red color. Turn this coin at just the right angle under a light source and the colors "snap" and the fields become blinding. Oh, what a coin!
In the latest edition of the Judd Pattern book, editor Q, David Bowers disputes the "Washlady" nickname, pointing out correctly (and we agree), that no Washlady was ever made up as nicely as the lady is here. Bowers renames this the "Society Lady" design, but we haven't confirmed whether this was an old appellation or one of his making!
This is the one and only PR-68 example graded thus far by NGC (nor do we expect any soon). None have been graded finer by either NGC or PCGS. Color photo.
Estimated Value $25,000-30,000.
 

Judd-1590 Washlady Quarter Dollar with Awesome Toning

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3095    1879 Pattern Quarter Dollar. Silver, reeded edge. J-1590, Rarity-6. NGC graded Proof 67. A stunning rendition of this immensely popular design. A perfect complement to the PR-68 "Washlady" Pattern Dime offered elsewhere in this sale (and from the same source, we might add). This one is just as colorful, with glittering reds, golds, blues, and greens jumping from both sides. NGC reports 2 in this grade, with only 1 finer (the best certified so far by PCGS are two Proof-67's).
See our comments under the Judd-1584 Pattern in this sale. Color photo.
Estimated Value $30,000-35,000.
 

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3096    Private Pattern dated 1938 for a Jefferson head nickel. Proof 64. We have not seen this item before.
Estimated Value $100-200.
 

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3097    1987 Pattern for a Constitution Half Eagle. MS-64. Made of 90% pure Tungsten. According to the U.S. Patterns website (www.uspatterns.com), "These were struck for Frank Zinkann by the Pressed Metal Products Company as a pattern for the 1987 Constitution Bicentennial." Because of the hardness of the metal, the Tungsten versions (including the one offered here) are weakly struck. Mintages are cited from 80 to 88 pieces, making this an extremely rare issue. Housed in a custom-imprinted Capital Plastics holder.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.