1861 Eagle

HBCC#:

6045

Breen#:

n/a

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

287

Pollock#:

344

This pattern presents the regular obverse and reverse designs with the addition of GOD OUR TRUST in plain letters over the eagle’s head. The addition of the motto on our coinage did not occur until 1864 with the two-cent piece; however, numerous trial pieces were prepared from 1861 to 1863. It was not until 1863 that the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was finally placed on any of these pattern coins. Five examples of this pattern variety were listed by Andrew Pollock, with only two of those gilded. Possibly one or two other examples of this pattern issue are known.

Provenance:

From Superior's sale of the Gilhousen Collection, February 19, 1973, Lot 1056.

Obverse:

Die used to strike regular-issue eagles of the date.

Reverse:

Very similar to the circulating type of the date, but with GOD OUR TRUST on a ribbon above the eagle.

Commentary: