1870 Three-cent

HBCC#:

6081

Breen#:

n/a

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

796

Pollock#:

883

This obverse is William Barber’s version of the famous Liberty Seated design originally prepared by Christian Gobrecht in 1836. Liberty is seated facing to the left with the shield partially hidden from view. Barber’s design appeared on several silver patterns dated 1870, through the one dollar denomination. Although this specific pattern is denominated three cents, the same obverse die was used for this denomination and for half dimes. Planchets for both pattern denominations are virtually identical in diameter and weight. The wide reverse border is explained by a smaller diameter reverse die.

Provenance:

Purchased from Lee F. Hewitt, April 17, 1972.

Obverse:

Seated Liberty to left, upright Liberty pole with cap behind, shield in right hand, olive branch in left hand, LIBERTY on ribbon across shield, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around, date below.

Reverse:

The die used to produce regular-issue silver three-cent pieces of the date.

Commentary: