1866 $20 With Dual-Hubbed Low over High "IN" in IN GOD WE TRUST
CaptHenway
Posts: 31,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
The 1865 "With Motto" Pattern $20 shows the "IN" of In God We Trust high. This reverse die was apparently re-used on some 1866 Proofs and some 1867 Proof $20's in gold, but not the 1867 off-metal strikes. I will post pictures below.
The use of different reverses may suggest that some pieces are restrikes. The Mint did a lot of that in the late 1860's - early 1870's. More research is needed.
The U.S. Patterns site says that this particular reverse die had the Motto punched in by hand, which is why the word "IN" was misplaced. However, I believe that a Master Die was created with the misplaced "IN," and either a Master Hub from that or at least one Working Hub. I say this because there is at least one 1866 Philadelphia reverse working die hubbed from both a
High IN" hub and a "Low IN" hub. Here is a picture of it from CoinFacts.
https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1866-20-motto/8949
More to come.
TD
Comments
1866 Proof $20 with High IN, Reverse of 1865. Note inner ends of rays between stars above and to right of WE. From CoinFacts.
1866 Proof $20 with Low IN, Reverse of 1866. Note inner ends of rays between stars above and to right of WE.
TD
1867 Proof $20 with High IN, Reverse of 1865. Note inner ends of rays between stars above and to right of WE. From CoinFacts.
1867 Proof $20 with Low IN, Reverse of 1867. Note inner ends of rays between stars above and to right of WE. From Heritage via CoinFacts. (I intend to recheck this date within the Heritage archives after the holiday.)
TD
1868 Proof $20 with Low IN, Reverse of 1867, as normal for the remainder of the type. From CoinFacts.
TD
WOW! You can learn something new every day here! Thanks, TD!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Normal 1866-S $20 showing the Low IN found on the adopted Reverse of 1867 $20s. Note the inner ends of the rays between the stars above and to the right of WE. From Heritage Auction archives.
TD
Incredible research, as always!
Young Numismatist, Coin Photographer.
@CaptHenway
Interesting research! Thanks for posting.
Here is a prooflike example from 1867 (from the Bass collection) that appears to have the Low IN style…
Full reverse...
I have organized the pictures a little better and will try to list all of the With Motto design variations for 1865-67. Everything from 1868 to the end of the Series is normal Reverse of 1867.
all images courtesy of Heritage Auctions unless otherwise specified.
1865 With Motto Patterns with Reverse of 1865 with High IN in In God We Trust. Note the inner ends of the rays at the right end of the motto.
Judd-453. Copper.
Judd-453, Copper, Gilt.
TD
1866 With Reverse of 1865 with High IN. Pics from CU via HA.
1866 With Doubled IN and top of R in IGWT. Note inner ray ends to right of Motto.
DMPL showing best doubling on IN and top of R.
TD
1866 With Doubled IN and top of R in TRUST. Note inner ray ends to right of Motto.
J-549, Copper, Gilt, Slabbed as Proof.
1866 With Reverse of 1866. Low IN in IGWT, Longer Ray touching right point of star above E. Next long ray to right of that about same length.
Proof
c
BU
1866 With Reverse of 1867.Low IN in IGWT. Short Ray by right point of star above WE. It and next two inner lines form stairstep.
BU only.
TD
1867 With Reverse of 1865. High IN. Probably Proof only in Gold.
TD
1867 With Reverse of 1867. Low IN. Normal reverse from here to end of Type Two $20's.
Judd-604, Copper
TD
So, that makes four different reverses used in Philadelphia paired with obverse dies dated 1866. Whether any of the pairings are restrikes or not remains to be seen.
TD
I love the low "IN" stamped over the high "IN". That kind of stuff keeps the hobby fun.
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer, see my portfolio here: (http://www.donahuenumismatics.com/).