| Description: |
Copper. Plain edge. William Barber’s "Seated Liberty” motif featured on the
obverse was also employed on other denominations of patterns coined during the year, from
silver three-cent pieces (an illogical production; see our listing of an example) through
half dollars. Barber’s depiction shows Miss Liberty facing to the viewer’s left, her
right hand resting on the top of a shield upon which is a ribbon inscribed LIBERTY
(perhaps a precursor of the ribboned shield on Barber’s later "Amazon” reverse).
A pole emerges from nowhere and apparently is self-supporting; on top of it is a pileus or
liberty cap, a nod to patriotism and tradition. She is seated on a bale, catafalque, rock,
or something else, the details of which are obscured by excess cloth (she seems to sit
upon the folds of her gown above where they fall). Her right hand is simply
"there,” doing nothing in particular (perhaps it could have held the pole and
liberty cap?).The reverse is the regular-issue silver dollar design. Mostly golden brown
and steel gray surfaces, with vivid gold, blue, and violet iridescent highlights. Sharply
struck with virtually all design features showing bold definition, including the obverse
stars, all of which show their central divisions.Both thick and thin planchet variants are
known. The solitary thin planchet piece recorded in the Pollock reference weighed 333
grains, while the more frequently seen thick planchet piece ranged in weight from about
386 to 392 grains. Unfortunately, the slab prevents us from reporting the planchet weight
of the presently offered specimen. Again we suggest that if at least one enlightened
certification service would take the time and trouble (which can’t be much) to list the
weights on coins, it will earn the gratitude of pattern enthusiasts and, quite possibly,
their patronage (with good bottom-line results!). |
