The June 4, 2000, Dr. Jon Kardatzke Collection Parts II & III, Sale 5
Lot 1079 
1871 Pattern Dime, J-1075, rarity 7, copper, reeded edge. PCGS graded Proof 63 Red and Brown. Premium Quality. Pollock-1211, AW-1173. The popular Longacre design without stars on the obverse. Liberty's full figure is seated, with a globe market LIBERTY, flags behind and a cap on her extended pole. We note that Liberty is wearing a similar headdress as seen on three dollar gold pieces. On the reverse, STANDARD is above, with 10 CENTS in the wreath of cereals. Minor copper spots on the obverse, but free of other detractions. Rosy red toning on both sides with a decent amount of mint color to please the eye.
From Empire Coin Company at a cost of $70, no doubt more than a few years ago, then to the Madison Collection.
Lot 1080 
1873 Pattern Trade Dollar, Judd-1281, rarity 4, Silver, reeded edge. The Bailly design. PCGS graded Proof 58. P-1423. A scarce pattern issue that is attributed to A. J. Bailly, with Liberty wearing a wreath of leaves, surrounded by thirteen stars, and with her hair coiled at her back. The reverse shows an eagle with his wings outstretched standing on a rock, its holding three arrows, and supporting a shield. Pollack notes that the reverse is similar to that used on the "Amazonian" design of 1872.
Toned a very dark blue and gray in color, with deep rose at the center. Probably cleaned long ago, with resulting hairlines in the fields. It is difficult to tell if this coin circulated briefly, or has just been handled many times as people enjoyed the delicate design, as the upper devices show a bit of wear.
Lot 1081 
1875 Pattern Twenty Cent, J-1394, rarity 7, Aluminum, reeded edge. The sailor head. PCGS graded Proof 63. Pollock-1537, AW-1437. This is the famous design by William Barber, the head of Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, hair tied back with a ribbon, known as the "sailor's head" because of the loose collar that Liberty wears, similar to the shirts worn by sailors at that time. The obverse has some raised corrosion on Liberty's head and around the design elements, as these aluminum coins display as they were frequently stored in damp environments. Similar on the reverse, but the corrosion is not as noticeable. A few minor hairlines in the fields, and identifiable by a lint mark which extends from Liberty's eye, through the middle of her nose into the field before (these are frequently seen on proof coinage of the period). One of the most popular pattern designs, instantly recognizable, and always in demand. Only 1 other coin graded, its a PR 67, which will certainly be more expensive than this piece, assuming it ever comes on the market.
From Empire Coin Company, Inc. at a cost of $130, then to the Madison Collection.
Lot 1082 
1875 Pattern $10, J-1444, rarity 7, copper, gilt. The Sailor's Head. Proof 63. The famous Barber design struck in copper, gilt. Reeded edge. P-1588 (as R-6). The obverse has a head of Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY using a font without serifs. Her gown is draped over her shoulders, giving the appearance of a sailors collar, hence the popularized name given by numismatists of "sailor's head". Liberty's hair is tied up in a bun, with a lovely draping ribbon hanging below the bun. Liberty's face looks very much like the Liberty nickel adopted in 1883. On the reverse, we see the familiar twenty cent erect eagle, enlarged to fit a coin of this diameter. The eagle is surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and TEN DOLLARS below, and in tiny letters above E PLURIBUS UNUM and on a tiny ribbon below IN GOD WE TRUST. The ensemble is extremely pleasing to the eye and the coin exudes all the elegance of the Victorian age. This pattern is simply die engraving at its best.
The mirror fields are pristine, they show only minor hairlines and are aged with antique toning on both sides. Barber had a little trouble with the first two stars which show light recutting on some of the points, but otherwise the design elements were expertly placed and engraved. Certainly one of the most stunning and desirable coins in this collection, and with only two known that were struck in gold, this choice gilt piece is the only realistic way to obtain this pattern design.
Boldly struck throughout, with a partial knife edge around the extreme edge, and carefully preserved. Liberty's cheek is absolutely pristine. A glass will note minor hairlines in the fields, but these are unimportant and the rule on coins of this grade. There are some curious lumps on Liberty's neck, most likely these are from the gilt process or this coin was struck from slightly rusted dies (unlikely). This is a coin that any collector will always love, long after the sale is forgotten.
Lot 1083 
1879 Pattern Metric Silver Dollar, J-1618, rarity 2, restrike, silver, reeded edge. Proof 60. Pollock-1813, AW-1598. This is the famous William Barber design, obverse with a head of Liberty facing left, with E PLURIBUS UNUM above and the date 1879 below. The reverse has the inscription 895.8 S. / 4.2 G / 100 - C / 25 GRAMS within a beaded circle surrounded by a wreath of corn and cotton. This piece has developed a lovely rose-gold toning over the mirror fields and is very well struck. There are moderate hairlines on both sides, as seen too often on these large, delicate proof issues.
From Numismatic Funding Corporation at a price of $895, then to the Madison Collection.
Lot 1084 
1879 Pattern Goloid Metric $1. J-1626. Rarity-6. Goloid. PCGS graded Proof 61. William's Barber's elegant design for a metric coinage. Reeded Edge. P-1822. This is a marvelous design, more interesting the more you study it. The portrait of Miss Liberty wears a broad band proclaiming LIBERTY beneath the famed Cap, and her hair is a mass of curls and cornucopia goodies. Liberty's profile was obviously inspired by Morgan's design for the dollar. This coin could only have come out of the era of the 1870s-1890s, for it is starkly patriotic and even bears the motto of faith "Deo Est Gloria." The Goloid alloy was a super idea which never took off: it consists of 84.54% silver, 5.46% gold, and 10.0% copper, thus using the classic trio of coinage metals to produce a hard alloy with loads of gleam. Too bad it didn't take off, because it would have provided a solid backing for our paper currency; and thereby could indeed have become an internationally traded coin, which was one of its inspirations at the time. This specimen has abundant brilliance in its mirrors and is only marred by light hairlines and tiny abrasions from a less-than-perfect handling. It's certainly pleasing enough to enjoy while studying its design and contemplating its intended use.
This period in our history produced a great variety of pattern coins, many of which were centered around the idea of providing a coinage which could "go abroad" and make America an economic force outside our borders. Patterns of the time tend to show fineness and metallic content, which can be found on this beauty, which has "100 CENTS" instead of $1 for its denomination. Specie and inherent value was on many minds in 1879, for it was only in this year that the currency finally (since the start of the Civil War in 1861) again reached a face value with gold, and had again the public's confidence. Specie payments/exchanges for paper had been authorized by Congress in 1875 but did not go into effect until the first day of 1879, by which time demand had so slackened (indicating confidence in the paper) that coinage set in vaults unused. It might be that this Goloid composition would have provided even greater confidence, considering its partial gold content. But maybe not. The world was changing quickly: electric lighting was still a decade in the future, but in October of 1879 Thomas A. Edison accomplished the first successful experiment with a long-burning filament (a thread of carbonized cotton that burned for 45 hours straight) which, later using tungsten, led to the very first lightbulb. But in 1879 America still lay in darkness at night. Think of that when you contemplate the times which managed to create this wonderful coin!.
Lot 1085 
1879 Pattern Metric Dollar, J-1627, rarity 2, silver, reeded edge. Proof 61. Pollock-1823, AW-1606. Design by William Barber, the head of Liberty wearing a cap with a broad band inscribed LIBERTY, incused, cap is ornamented with heads of wheat, cotton leaves and bolls, E PLURIBUS UNUM above. The reverse with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * 100 CENTS in margin, with GOLOID METRIC DOLLAR surrounding. The curious weights are noted at the center, for conversion into metric and hence making the value easy to calculate, in theory by anyone in the world. Toned the standard gray color with lilac highlights in the fields, with minor hairlines in the fields the only complaint. Enormously popular with collectors.
From Numismatic Funding Corporation, Melville, NY, then to the Madison Collection.
Lot 1086 
1880 Pattern Coiled Hair $4 Gold Stella. Aluminum, gilt. J-1662, rarity 8, Pollack-1862, reeded edge. Proof 60. This extremely rare coin is almost certainly from the Palace Collection sale (1954) of King Farouk by Sotheby's as that extensive sale offered two of this pattern issue (lot 1995 and 2025). The recent Pollack reference work notes only 3 coins known of this in aluminum, 1) the Superior Rio Rancho 1974 sale, later New England July 1979; 2) Stack's Garrett Sale 1976 to Harry Bass and retained in his foundation; and 3) Kagin's May 1978 sale, lot 1061 which is thought to have been either 3A) Farouk, Sotheby's 1954 "Palace Collection" lot 1995 or 3B) Farouk, Sotheby's 1954 "Palace Collection" lot 2025. None of the above specimens is noted as being "gilt", which this coin obviously is. There is a small speck of toning behind Liberty's hair bun below the A and star. Moderate hairlines are visible with a glass, and the proof surfaces are a bit dull from an old cleaning, which makes the case for this being a King Farouk coin, as all his coins were cleaned. Furthermore, it is the only possibility of those listed in the known specimens, so unless this were an entirely new discovery coin (which is very unlikely) it almost certainly is one from the Farouk sale. Most likely the first specimen listed is 3B in Pollack, while this coin is 3A.
The surfaces are toned a delicate gold color, and the devices are sharply struck. It is a curious design that the diadem lettering LIBERTY is engraved in descending letter sizes, which must have been very difficult for Barber to engrave in the die, as a standard set of letter punches could not be used. Any coiled hair stella is an important offering, this extremely rare pattern issue will no doubt bring a strong price.
Lot 1087 
1881 Pattern Three Cent, J-1669, rarity 7, copper, plain edge. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red and brown, premium quality. Pollock-1870, AW-1652. Design by C. E. Barber, head of Liberty as on the V nickels, reverse with III at the center of the reverse, wreath of cotton and corn surrounding. One of 7 so graded by PCGS, none higher or lower. Lovely faded mint red in color, with a couple of minute fly specks, mostly on the reverse. Another opportunity for the pattern specialist.
From the Madison Collection.
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