1879 $1 J-1608, Schoolgirl PR(PCGS#61986)

March 2020 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

7377

等级

PR65

价格

1,022,032

详细说明

Classic 1879 Pattern Schoolgirl Dollar in Silver The Jenks-Eliasberg-Pogue Specimen 1879 Pattern Schoolgirl Standard Dollar. Judd-1608, Pollock-1804. Rarity-6+. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-65 (PCGS). CAC. Obv:George T. Morgan's famous Schoolgirl design. A bust of Liberty faces left with the Latin motto and stars arranged **E PLURIBUS *******UNUM**** around the border and the date 1879 below. Liberty's hair is combed straight back and tied with a ribbon, a hairband inscribed LIBERTY crossing the top of her head and a string of pearls around her neck. Rev:A defiant eagle strides left atop a scroll with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. An olive branch and three arrows are behind the scroll. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above, the denomination ONE DOLLAR below. The obverse is beautifully toned in a mixture of electric blue, magenta, gold and other light iridescent hues. The more reserved reverse displays warm charcoal-steel with a few intermingled swirls of pearl gray. There is some evidence of light striking at the centers, particularly on the flank of the eagle, although most design elements are razor sharp. In February and March 1878, George T. Morgan's Liberty Head dollar (today's popular "Morgan dollar") design was rushed into production following the February 28 passage of the Bland-Allison Act. The obverse and reverse designs were taken from the memorable series of pattern halfdollars that Morgan had prepared in 1877. One of these pattern Morgan half dollars, the unique Judd-1520, is offered above. As time went on, it was felt that the design could be improved, and several varieties of patterns were made during the next few years. The 1879 Schoolgirl dollar pattern was created by Morgan, and was made only in small numbers. In the same vein, Morgan created the 1882 Shield Earring pattern dollar (see below for a pattern quarterdollar of this famous design). Whatever the circumstances may have been, neither the Schoolgirl nor Shield Earring dollar was ever seriously considered for circulating coinage. No doubt the criticism of Chief Engraver William Barber, himself the creator of several unadopted varieties of pattern dollars of this era, played a part. Today the 1879 Schoolgirl dollar is considered by many to be the capstone of the United States pattern dollar series or, at the very least, among the top several American coinage motifs in this denomination. The website uspatterns.comhas confirmed the existence of just 15 silver impressions from these dies, four of which are held by museum and research collections: two in the Smithsonian and one each by the American Numismatic Society and the Harry W. Bass Research Foundation. In addition, several others have been dipped, if not abrasively cleaned. This fully original, aesthetically pleasing specimen clearly represents an important bidding opportunity for advanced pattern or silver dollar enthusiasts. Estimate: $80,000 - $100,000. Provenance: Ex Harlan P. Smith; Henry Chapman's sale of the John Story Jenks Collection, December 1921, lot 5697; Clapp estate; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; our (Bowers and Merena's) sale of the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, May 1996, lot 288. Possibly also from New York Coin and Stamp's sale of the F.W. Doughty Collection, April 1891, per the website uspatterns.com. PCGS# 61986. NGC ID: 2AGY. Click here for certification details from PCGS.