1872 Double Eagle

HBCC#:

6107

Breen#:

n/a

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

1251

Pollock#:

1393

Many minute differences in the intricate die details show that these dies were almost certainly hand engraved. Essentially, William Barber had a basic design concept drawn directly onto the blank steel die face. He then used various punches and engraving tools and created the dies for each denomination, one detail at a time. Perhaps these individual engravings were intended to illustrate minor differences so that they could be compared to decide the most aesthetically appealing example.

Provenance:

From Stack's sale of the DiBello Collection, May 1970, Lot 508.

Obverse:

Capped head of Liberty to left, LIBERTY on band of cap, hair gathered behind head, flowing into field, 13 stars around, date below.

Reverse:

Eagle with spread wings standing at center, left talons on shield, ribbon on shield reads IN GOD WE TRUST, three arrows in right talons, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around, TWENTY DOL. below.

Commentary:

"Reverse that used on Amazonian."