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The missing finger - A trade dollar mystery solved?
MilkmanDan
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As a trade dollar variety specialist, I’ve studied many examples under magnification in the hunt for important details that lead to variety discovery as well as relationships between various issues (shared die marriages, for example). Something that always bugged me a little bit is how the original hub type shipped in 1873 with only 4 fingers present on Liberty’s outstretched arm. This seems like an obvious error, and in fact so did others since it was corrected in 1876 with a new obverse hub type. But why did the original design only include 4 out of the 5 fingers? Well….today I stumbled upon something interesting. Probably known to others but not to me. I’ll illustrate the differences and explain the new finding below.
First, let’s look at an 1873 Proof trade dollar (PCGS PR64 CAM for those keeping score at home)
Here’s a closeup of the outstretched hand. Note the thumb plus three fingers wrapped around the olive branch. Where’s the 4th finger?
In 1876, changes were made to the hub with the addition of the previously absent 4th finger.
1876 Transitional Proof Type 1.5/2 (PCGS PR63 CAM)
Note the added 4th finger, located just above the other 3, wrapped around touching the palm.
Here’s an 1878 Proof trade dollar (PCGS PR65+CAM) to illustrate what the rest of the Proof series looked like, very similar to the 1876 above with other minor changes not related to the hand.
Close-up of the hand:
Clearly the 4th finger was intentionally added part way through the series and remained until the series ended in 1885. This is everything I knew about the lacking finger until today. (I believe I read somewhere about the public not liking the Trade Dollar, with the lacking finger being part of the dislike but I can’t find any documentation on this right now)
Recently, someone submitted a bunch of patterns to PCGS and thankfully they were photographed for coinfacts. With my love for Trade Dollars being strong, I was having fun browsing through the patterns, dreaming of another life where I owned a complete set of TD patterns when I stumbled onto the following, a J1323 with the obverse closely resembling the eventual public issue.
Things got interesting when I viewed a closeup of the outstretched hand. It appears to me (feel free to chime in on this point) that this pattern shows a thumb, three fingers folded back against the palm, and an outstretched finger pointing to the left. It is somewhat obscured since it rides up against the olive branch, but I’m convinced it’s there.
Here's the pattern trade dollar, J1323 in PCGS PR64+CAM
And here's a close-up of the hand area:
I'm fairly certain this is a finger and not just another berry, although I admit the finger is pointed upward somewhat awkwardly. Could this explain why the original issue was shipped with a finger missing? Did the engraver copy this pattern and somehow miss the pointing finger? Either way, this was a fun catch and I’m curious to hear what others think. This is the stuff that keeps me coming back for more.
First, let’s look at an 1873 Proof trade dollar (PCGS PR64 CAM for those keeping score at home)
Here’s a closeup of the outstretched hand. Note the thumb plus three fingers wrapped around the olive branch. Where’s the 4th finger?
In 1876, changes were made to the hub with the addition of the previously absent 4th finger.
1876 Transitional Proof Type 1.5/2 (PCGS PR63 CAM)
Note the added 4th finger, located just above the other 3, wrapped around touching the palm.
Here’s an 1878 Proof trade dollar (PCGS PR65+CAM) to illustrate what the rest of the Proof series looked like, very similar to the 1876 above with other minor changes not related to the hand.
Close-up of the hand:
Clearly the 4th finger was intentionally added part way through the series and remained until the series ended in 1885. This is everything I knew about the lacking finger until today. (I believe I read somewhere about the public not liking the Trade Dollar, with the lacking finger being part of the dislike but I can’t find any documentation on this right now)
Recently, someone submitted a bunch of patterns to PCGS and thankfully they were photographed for coinfacts. With my love for Trade Dollars being strong, I was having fun browsing through the patterns, dreaming of another life where I owned a complete set of TD patterns when I stumbled onto the following, a J1323 with the obverse closely resembling the eventual public issue.
Things got interesting when I viewed a closeup of the outstretched hand. It appears to me (feel free to chime in on this point) that this pattern shows a thumb, three fingers folded back against the palm, and an outstretched finger pointing to the left. It is somewhat obscured since it rides up against the olive branch, but I’m convinced it’s there.
Here's the pattern trade dollar, J1323 in PCGS PR64+CAM
And here's a close-up of the hand area:
I'm fairly certain this is a finger and not just another berry, although I admit the finger is pointed upward somewhat awkwardly. Could this explain why the original issue was shipped with a finger missing? Did the engraver copy this pattern and somehow miss the pointing finger? Either way, this was a fun catch and I’m curious to hear what others think. This is the stuff that keeps me coming back for more.
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Extra Credit: How many fingers does Mickey Mouse have?
Extra Credit: How many fingers does Mickey Mouse have?
What you have pointed out certainly looks of the correct proportions to be an extended index finger. One has to wonder why they made that extra berry (I guess the tip of the index) so disjoint from the rest of the hand
That 78 proof is ridiculously gorgeous.
Extra Credit: How many fingers does Mickey Mouse have?
What you have pointed out certainly looks of the correct proportions to be an extended index finger. One has to wonder why they made that extra berry (I guess the tip of the index) so disjoint from the rest of the hand during the actual production run
I guess this means post 76 liberty is hexadactyly.
That 78 proof is ridiculously gorgeous.
What you have pointed out certainly looks of the correct proportions to be an extended index finger. One has to wonder why they made that extra berry (I guess the tip of the index) so disjoint from the rest of the hand during the actual production run
I guess this means post 76 liberty is hexadactyly.
That 78 proof is ridiculously gorgeous.
What you have pointed out certainly looks of the correct proportions to be an extended index finger. One has to wonder why they made that extra berry (I guess the tip of the index) so disjoint from the rest of the hand during the actual production run
I guess this means post 76 liberty is hexadactyly.
That 78 proof is ridiculously gorgeous.
1. The pattern trade dollar shows 5 fingers on outstretched hand. One thumb, one pointing index finger and 3 folded back.
2. The original public issue in 1873 shows only 4 fingers, one thumb and three folded back.
3. In 1876 the missing finger was added back, but in a folded over to palm configuration. (different from the pattern)
The point to focus on is now we might have evidence that the engraver intended 5 fingers but for some reason the 5th finger was left out at first.
I have always assumed that is a berry, but if you look at the other berries they are connected to the main branch through a stem. If you look through all of the above pictures, that "berry" does look more like an extension of the hand, a pointing index finger. Whoa. That would actually mean a 6 fingered hand post 1876, as Stealer brought up above.
I would have guessed that the 5th figure was obscured by the branch on the early versions.
None of them are anatomically correct for a person holding a branch. But, the engraver probably wasn't expecting people to be looking with a 10X loupe either.
<< <i>That's a really interesting point Dave. I believe this is what you're referring to?
Thats what I am referring to Dan. Looks like the tip of the index finger to me.
I have always assumed that is a berry, but if you look at the other berries they are connected to the main branch through a stem. If you look through all of the above pictures, that "berry" does look more like an extension of the hand, a pointing index finger. Whoa. That would actually mean a 6 fingered hand post 1876, as Stealer brought up above. >>
<< <i>That's a really interesting point Dave. I believe this is what you're referring to?
I have always assumed that is a berry, but if you look at the other berries they are connected to the main branch through a stem. If you look through all of the above pictures, that "berry" does look more like an extension of the hand, a pointing index finger. Whoa. That would actually mean a 6 fingered hand post 1876, as Stealer brought up above. >>
Yea, that's what I was getting at. It looks quite disconnected, but given the (ridiculously) large curled fingers of liberty as compared to her thumb, it is actually quite possible that the "berry" was meant to be the fourth finger.
At any rate, her fingers are HUGE in comparison to the thumb.
<< <i>I had always assumed that the 5th finger on the 73 issue was what appears to be an outstreched index finger that is not completely connected. Crypto pointed out that it was most likely a thorn or maybe another berry. Maybe the engraver meant to show 3 fingers, a thumb and the index finger is hidden behind the branch. >>
<< <i>This has got to be the worst case of duplicates I've seen in awhile.
Hey, lecture was really boring and the forum wasn't letting me reply so I just kept hitting the post button.
Do you know why cartoon characters have 3 fingers?
Because it's easier to draw.
So Homer wasn't born with a birth defect, it's just that the Korean's are lazy.
<< <i>This has got to be the worst case of duplicates I've seen in awhile.
Imagine how I felt after typing all this out, having it post a blank post, then have it really post 10 minutes later! Winning.
<< <i>I had always assumed that the 5th finger on the 73 issue was what appears to be an outstreched index finger that is not completely connected. Crypto pointed out that it was most likely a thorn or maybe another berry. Maybe the engraver meant to show 3 fingers, a thumb and the index finger is hidden behind the branch. >>
I had always assumed that was the outstretched index finger. I take it nobody else recognized it?
<< <i>
<< <i>That's a really interesting point Dave. I believe this is what you're referring to?
Thats what I am referring to Dan. Looks like the tip of the index finger to me.
I have always assumed that is a berry, but if you look at the other berries they are connected to the main branch through a stem. If you look through all of the above pictures, that "berry" does look more like an extension of the hand, a pointing index finger. Whoa. That would actually mean a 6 fingered hand post 1876, as Stealer brought up above. >>
>>
Yes, that. The disconnect is merely hidden behind the branch.
<< <i>
<< <i>I had always assumed that the 5th finger on the 73 issue was what appears to be an outstreched index finger that is not completely connected. Crypto pointed out that it was most likely a thorn or maybe another berry. Maybe the engraver meant to show 3 fingers, a thumb and the index finger is hidden behind the branch. >>
I had always assumed that was the outstretched index finger. I take it nobody else recognized it? >>
I see what you're saying, but then why was another finger added? Six fingers?
<< <i>
<< <i>I had always assumed that the 5th finger on the 73 issue was what appears to be an outstreched index finger that is not completely connected. Crypto pointed out that it was most likely a thorn or maybe another berry. Maybe the engraver meant to show 3 fingers, a thumb and the index finger is hidden behind the branch. >>
I had always assumed that was the outstretched index finger. I take it nobody else recognized it? >>
I guess I'm behind on the times
So...everybody has known for years that Ms. Liberty has 6 fingers but nobody said anything? I find that very surprising!
When I look at this image, I see three berries that are rather rounded. Bulbous, one might say. Then that fourth thing that is not rounded or bulbous. So it is either a poorly crafted berry or a finger. So I have to go with the finger choice on this one. Why would the artist make three very similar berries and then one that looks emaciated? Right, he wouldn't.
<< <i>When I look at this image, I see three berries that are rather rounded. Bulbous, one might say. Then that fourth thing that is not rounded or bulbous. So it is either a poorly crafted berry or a finger. So I have to go with the finger choice on this one. Why would the artist make three very similar berries and then one that looks emaciated? Right, he wouldn't. >>
I see why you'd say that but I lean towards disagreeing with you. I don't think they look as dramatically different as you say. Looking at all of the evidence, I have to lean towards berry. Look again at the '78. The engraver has obviously added a finger folded back against the palm, and the berry/finger in question looks more offset from the branch, as if connected by a stem. I suppose it's possible the engraver intended a finger on the '73 and then later in the series changed it to be a berry but I think that scenario is unlikely.
<< <i>I see what you're saying, but then why was another finger added? Six fingers? >>
When you're an artist working for a client, and the client doesn't "get it" and/or requests changes, you make the changes. Enough people didn't see the index finger so they added another. IMHO, the very first image shown in your OP clearly shows an extended / straightened index finger going behind the branch and peeking out past the branch (i.o., it's not a berry).
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<< <i>
<< <i>I see what you're saying, but then why was another finger added? Six fingers? >>
When you're an artist working for a client, and the client doesn't "get it" and/or requests changes, you make the changes. Enough people didn't see the index finger so they added another. IMHO, the very first image shown in your OP clearly shows an extended / straightened index finger going behind the branch and peeking out past the branch (i.o., it's not a berry). >>
Basically this.
Hold your right hand up in front of your face and curl the small, ring and middle fingers in, while keeping the index finger pointed. Note the relative position of the knuckles on the three curled fingers to the end of the thumb, and the end of the index finger to the thumb. That was what the original design showed, but it wasn't obvious (as evidenced by the number of Trade Dollar collectors who misread it) so when they were making a new hub they "fixed" it.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I had always assumed that the 5th finger on the 73 issue was what appears to be an outstreched index finger that is not completely connected. Crypto pointed out that it was most likely a thorn or maybe another berry. Maybe the engraver meant to show 3 fingers, a thumb and the index finger is hidden behind the branch. >>
I had always assumed that was the outstretched index finger. I take it nobody else recognized it? >>
I guess I'm behind on the times
So...everybody has known for years that Ms. Liberty has 6 fingers but nobody said anything? I find that very surprising! >>
Ed Fleischmann wrote something on the fingers in Coin World's Collectors Clearinghouse somewhere during 1974-1976, though the focus of it was the 1876-S doubled die that had the new obverse hub over the old hub. This may have been overlooked by researchers. I remember it because I was working for Ed at the time. I tried to cherrypick another for decades and never saw another.
TD
I think it goes along with the overall design idea since the coins were meant for trade with China. Liberty's arm is outstretched over the Pacific ocean, offering an olive branch to signify peace. The pointing finger could be interpreted as a new direction for US Trade expansion or simply as an extension of the outstretched arm offering the olive branch.
We're still left with the question of why the extra finger was added in 1876, and this question becomes even more puzzling if the design did indeed already show 5 fingers. I think Lochness has offered the best explanation thus far, although I find it both funny and puzzling. The design was misinterpreted so it was "fixed". I'm willing to accept this theory.
This is part of why coins are fun, one can study the intricate details of a coin day after day and still learn something new about the design years later. I appreciate all of the comments in this thread.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I had always assumed that the 5th finger on the 73 issue was what appears to be an outstreched index finger that is not completely connected. Crypto pointed out that it was most likely a thorn or maybe another berry. Maybe the engraver meant to show 3 fingers, a thumb and the index finger is hidden behind the branch. >>
I had always assumed that was the outstretched index finger. I take it nobody else recognized it? >>
I guess I'm behind on the times
So...everybody has known for years that Ms. Liberty has 6 fingers but nobody said anything? I find that very surprising! >>
Ed Fleischmann wrote something on the fingers in Coin World's Collectors Clearinghouse somewhere during 1974-1976, though the focus of it was the 1876-S doubled die that had the new obverse hub over the old hub. This may have been overlooked by researchers. I remember it because I was working for Ed at the time. I tried to cherrypick another for decades and never saw another.
TD >>
Super interesting thread, busy at work so I will simply add the DDO the capt was talking about. He is right it is pretty rare. I'll get back here after lunch
<< <i>That's a really interesting point Dave. I believe this is what you're referring to?
I have always assumed that is a berry, but if you look at the other berries they are connected to the main branch through a stem. If you look through all of the above pictures, that "berry" does look more like an extension of the hand, a pointing index finger. Whoa. That would actually mean a 6 fingered hand post 1876, as Stealer brought up above. >>
What happened was, Uncle Tonoose said "Pull my finger!"
<< <i>I disagree with most written here.
The subject of the thread isn't a berry and was never meant to be a berry imho. For it to be a berry you would need a stem, my proof is look at all the berries here and on similar plants, must have a stem before the berry. I always thought it was a new shoot ie a bud aka new growth, which also made sense to me in the literal and historic sense. Does it also resemble a finger, yes but not only is it in the wrong place for a finger, it wouldn't have been noticed and since an effort was made to put it there, no one would place a finger so far away from the hand on purpose imho. >>
If Alan doesn't think it is a finger that all but convinces me that it is. Lets consider it setteled business among accepted trade dollar collectors
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<< <i>A small side question...is Miss Liberty sitting on one bale of trade goods standing on end, vertically, or two smaller bales resting horizontally one atop the other? >>
Two one atop the other in my opinion. There's no rope going across the 2nd and 3rd rows of trade goods.
<< <i>i always thought the index finger was extended with the branch. interesting! >>
And that the flimsy olive branch would become heavy due to the berries, the logical reason for an extended finger..........to lend support.
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
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<< <i>A small side question...is Miss Liberty sitting on one bale of trade goods standing on end, vertically, or two smaller bales resting horizontally one atop the other? >>
Wikipedia; "a female figure seated on bales of merchandise, holding in her left hand a scroll bearing the word 'Liberty'. At her back is a sheaf of wheat, expressing, with the bales of goods, the commercial character of the coin: the right hand extended holds the olive branch."
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Had a posting dissapear into the ether.
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
Is this happening to many threads?
<< <i>And getting back to the index finger, note that it is outstretched while the other three fingers are curled under on Judd numbers 1008; 1120/1133/1139 (and smaller denominations); 1208; 1212; 1290; 1299; etc. etc. >>
Would it be safe to say that WIlliam Barber preferred this style?