my biggest and best new pickup ever

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P0CKETCHANGE
P0CKETCHANGE Posts: 3,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

When this 1874 Silver 20c Pattern Proof came home with me from the FUN Show last week, it unquestionably became the centerpiece of my entire collection—I have never owned a coin anywhere near the caliber of this piece, and I'm pleased to be her new custodian after 50 years residing in the Bass collection & ANA Museum.

This coin's design, toning, eye appeal, pedigree, rarity and denomination were all factors that compelled me to stretch for it. Plus, it was on my short-list of patterns that I find intriguing, and it crossed the block in the first live numismatic auction that I've ever attended. I hope to treasure the coin—and the experience—for decades to come.




[Additional Info]
Judd-1354 represents one of the two initial pattern designs created for the new 20c. The correspondence between Mint leadership is documented in Brunner & Frost's book. [link: 1874 Patterns] The obverse is adapted from Asst. Engraver Joseph Bailley's earlier Trade Dollar Pattern, and William Barber produced the familiar reverse using the eagle from the Trade.

Judd's Pattern Coins, 9th Edition lists this as a Low R.7, with a Pop 7 between NGC/PCGS (current pops show 11 examples). USPatterns.com states "about 2 dozen known"; that would leave a surprising number of raw examples. In PR65, this is a top pop 3/0 coin at PCGS (tied with the Simpson specimen) and 5/0 including NGC. There is a single CAC-approved example which is in PCGS PR64, and there is an NGC coin in 65CAM (no CAMs at PCGS).

This pattern seldom surfaces at auction—in the past two decades, records show the Simpson example which sold in 2020, the 64 CAC example that sold in 2013, and the NGC 65CAM which sold in 2009. This die pair did strike additional examples in other metals (mostly copper), but I strongly prefer patterns that are struck in a given denomination's intended metal.

I also wanted to show the in-hand appearance—please forgive my amateur photography skills :)

Comments

  • Floridafacelifter
    Floridafacelifter Posts: 1,401 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Congratulations that’s a really beautiful coin- I hope you enjoy it for many years to come!

  • mirabela
    mirabela Posts: 5,199 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Wow! That's truly special.

    mirabela
  • Inspired70
    Inspired70 Posts: 710 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Awesome @PocketChange! I agree that if you are going to stretch for something, she is definitely worth stretching for. Congratulations.

  • Walkerguy21D
    Walkerguy21D Posts: 12,164 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 14, 2023 7:06AM
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    Fantastic coin and a great write up!
    I’m sure it was thrilling to do all that research and then actually win the piece in a live major auction. A memory you will always cherish.

    Successful BST transactions with 177 members. breakdown, scotty1419, mattniss, bigjpst, onlyroosies, Manorcourtman, guitarwes, Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • gonzer
    gonzer Posts: 3,091 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 14, 2023 7:47AM
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    Superb!

  • MWallace
    MWallace Posts: 4,682 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Gorgeous!! Congratulations.

  • Catbert
    Catbert Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    So happy for you! Really pretty. I bet bidding live in person was a thrill - it has been for me the few times I've done so. I can imagine your pulse was running high. Did you have some competition? Would love to hear more about your auction experience.

    Seated Half Society member #38

    "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
    running like a water color in the rain...."
  • Project Numismatics
    Project Numismatics Posts: 1,886 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Love the symbolism incorporated into the design - there's so much going on in the artistry. Wonderful example - congrats on a fine acquisition!

  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That is a beautiful proof coin.... Great detail ... Thanks for the pictures. Cheers, RickO

  • Flatwoods
    Flatwoods Posts: 4,270 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Amazing piece! Congratulations on the acquisition.

  • DelawareDoons
    DelawareDoons Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thats pretty awesome, congratulations on the world-class addition. It's scary to step up for big coins but once you do it once or twice, it starts to feel "right".

    "It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."

  • 1madman
    1madman Posts: 1,750 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Beautiful coin. Any chance it could cameo? The last picture shows contrast

  • mark_dak
    mark_dak Posts: 1,161 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Absolutely beautiful! Congratulations

    Mark

  • kaz
    kaz Posts: 9,378 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I love your new win; congratulations! I enlarged the images to admire the fine details on the eagle, the engraver's skills are impressive!

  • Pnies20
    Pnies20 Posts: 2,604 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Wow congratulations! What an accomplishment to own a coin that was in the ANA museum!

    BHNC #248 … 140 and counting.

  • JimTyler
    JimTyler Posts: 4,100 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Yep…that’s a good one.

  • gumby1234
    gumby1234 Posts: 5,901 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Beautiful pattern.

    Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM

  • WaterSport
    WaterSport Posts: 7,064 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Heck of a purchase!

    WS

    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
  • Jimnight
    Jimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice one!

  • keyman64
    keyman64 Posts: 15,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Amazing coin, congratulations!

    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner. :smile:
  • jfriedm56
    jfriedm56 Posts: 3,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Absolutely a special piece to be admired. Congratulations on your very wonderful new pattern!

  • BryceM
    BryceM Posts: 11,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Fantastic! Enjoy her.

  • joeykoins
    joeykoins Posts: 18,845 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 14, 2023 9:34AM
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    Beautiful Specimen
    Nice choice in Americana Coinage!
    <3
    Cameo?
    Is that your coin pictured in the PCGS Photo example for that Pattern?
    The first coin portrait of the 1874 in the pf.65?
    Also, one of three for pf 65 and
    TOP POP?
    Awesome!

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  • sparky64
    sparky64 Posts: 7,063 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Fantastic centerpiece!
    Congratulations.

    "If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"

    My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress

  • 2windy2fish
    2windy2fish Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Wow! Truly stunning! Congrats to you!

  • WAYNEAS
    WAYNEAS Posts: 7,271 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    A pattern coin, that will make you smile endlessly.
    To own such a coin with such history is an envy to most of us.
    If you are ever getting a little down in spirits, taking a look at her will brighten up your day.
    Congratulations on acquiring it.
    Wayne

    Kennedys are my quest...

  • Eldorado9
    Eldorado9 Posts: 2,822 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    A truly exquisite piece of US pattern coinage...Congrats Buddy.

  • PeakRarities
    PeakRarities Posts: 4,858 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Congrats Pal, that is a superb coin and it looks wonderful amongst the rest of your collection. Such a cool design

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  • Avocet
    Avocet Posts: 275 ✭✭✭✭
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    This coin is truly spectacular, and I am very jealous. Opportunities to acquire a coin like this are rare and fall into the “coin of a lifetime” category for many serious collectors. Congratulations! :)

  • Barndog
    Barndog Posts: 20,529 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Miss Liberty is nonplussed

    JR Newsletter Online Edition
  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,051 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    that sure is one beautiful coin to have, congrats

  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Bravo!! <3<3<3

    Oh my, my ... what a wonderful example!! Congratulations!!!


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

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  • ponderit
    ponderit Posts: 1,544 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Simply gorgeous, congratulations!

    Successful BST transactions with Rob41281, crazyhounddog, Commoncents, CarlWohlford, blu62vette, Manofcoins, Monstarcoins, coinlietenant, iconbuster, RWW,Nolawyer, NewParadigm, Flatwoods, papabear, Yellowkid, Ankur, Pccoins, tlake22, drddm, Connecticoin, Cladiator, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty
  • MS66
    MS66 Posts: 235 ✭✭✭
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    Breathtaking. Never even knew of this pattern.

  • NeophyteNumismatist
    NeophyteNumismatist Posts: 1,117 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Awesome coin, congratulations,

    I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.

  • asheland
    asheland Posts: 24,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Splendid! Congratulations. :)

    My YouTube Channel

  • jesbroken
    jesbroken Posts: 11,252 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great pickup @POCKETCHANGE Well beyond my capabilities, but still impressed greatly. Beautiful pattern coin. Congrats.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • nwcoast
    nwcoast Posts: 2,906 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Breathtaking, Stunning and gorgeous! Words fall short on this.
    Congratulations on this great and truly unique aquisition.👍

    Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014

  • cheezhed
    cheezhed Posts: 6,405 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Fabulous coin and wonderful story.

    Many happy BST transactions
  • shortnock
    shortnock Posts: 522 ✭✭✭✭
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    ...What everybody has said!!!

  • Raybo
    Raybo Posts: 5,362 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Some collectors do not like patterns for some reason, but I love them.
    You now have a very nice example PC, congratulations!

  • ChangeInHistory
    ChangeInHistory Posts: 3,121 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Wow! ...and Congratulations!

  • FlyingAl
    FlyingAl Posts: 4,470 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    You already had some nice proof Walkers and now this?

    I won't say I'm jealous, but I'm jealous. :smile: I've always had a soft spot for patterns, and this is a really nice one. Congrats!

    Coin Photography

  • semikeycollector
    semikeycollector Posts: 1,448 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 15, 2023 5:36AM
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    The agriculture surrounding Miss Liberty with her well detailed head and face are a feast to the eyes! The proof strike, level of preservation and lovely golden toning only amplify this. Plus with only 2 dozen known seems like good bang for the buck as well!

  • calgolddiver
    calgolddiver Posts: 1,803 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    outstanding and congratulations !!!

    Top 15 Type Set 1792 to present

    Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set

    successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), DesertMoon, Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Proofcollection, Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)

  • P0CKETCHANGE
    P0CKETCHANGE Posts: 3,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks all! I appreciate the kind words and support for the new pickup. It’s great to be able to celebrate such a milestone acquisition with folks on the forum—you guys get it.

    Coming soon to the BST: the rest of my collection to fund more patterns :p

  • jmski52
    jmski52 Posts: 24,011 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That's a really nice centerpiece coin, great pedigree, very attractive, interesting history. Congratulations!

    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.

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