Owner Comments:
1879 $1 Metric Dollar
Judd-1620, Pollock-1815
Rarity: R.8, PR65
Ex: Simpson.
Struck in aluminum with a reeded edge.
Obverse: William Barber chose a head of Liberty facing left as the central obverse motif, with a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, the hair tied in a bun at the back and flowing down to the shoulder. E PLURIBUS UNUM appears at the top border with the date below, seven stars left, and six stars right. This design is similar to that used on Barber's half union patterns of 1877.
Reverse: : The legend and denomination are placed at the top and bottom border with a wreath of corn and cotton. A cartouche contains the motto DEO EST GLORIA and a circle inside the wreath frames the four line inscription 895.8 S. / 4.2--G. / 100--C. / 25 GRAMS. - The goloid alloy composition (Silver Gold Copper)
Comment:
The commonly encountered examples of this Metric dollar design are found in silver or goloid. A dozen pieces are known in copper. "At least 4 known" in aluminum, according to USPatterns.com these are traced to be
1) Maris, Garrett-JHU, B/R 3/80 Garrett II
2) Bowers and Ruddy 2/78
3) Paramount 3/81
4) Spink/Smythe Magnolia 5/11, Simpson-Heritage 9/20, Heritage 8/22 ANA - PCGS65 with lamination over eye.
As with most aluminum patterns, the fields are deeply reflective and the devices noticeably frosted. A few shallow planchet lamination's are seen on the obverse including one diagnostic over the eye (these are common occurrence on aluminum) and a couple of whitish spots are located in the center of the reverse. Fully struck.
This pieces was featured in an article in Coin Week article ‘The Magnolia Collection of Early U.S. Gold Coins, late 19th century Patterns, Trade Dollars and more” . May 2011 by Greg Reynolds
“… An 1879 Goloid Metric Dollar, struck in aluminum, is a little more distinctive. It is a conceptual pattern for a new design and alloy for dollar coins. Although this particular piece was struck in aluminum, a silver-gold-copper alloy was being considered. Probably, only two representatives of this pattern issue survive. This piece has wonderful natural color and virtually zero contact marks. I enjoyed viewing it. It brought $60,475, which I take to be a very strong price. … “
COIN WEEK May 2011
Provenance/Appearances:
From Heritage Aug 2022 / Lot #5291; Prior
- Ex: Bob Simpson , Important Selections from The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part I (Heritage, 9/2020), Lot #10328;
- Spink/Smythe Magnolia May 2011 Lot #27