1879 Silver Dollar

HBCC#:

6150

Breen#:

n/a

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

1603

Pollock#:

1798

This outstanding silver dollar pattern features Charles Barber’s design with Liberty’s hair tied up like that of a washlady. Perhaps 15 examples of this variety survive today, more than any of the smaller denominations. The reverse design, also by Charles Barber, features an eagle holding an olive branch and three arrows. Harry Bass acquired this example from an auction sale conducted by Lester Merkin in February, 1971. In his collection, Harry Bass amassed nearly 600 different patterns, all acquired between 1970 and 1982, with over 500 purchased in the five years from 1970 to 1974!

Provenance:

From Lester Merkin's sale of February 1972, Lot 920.

Obverse:

Head of Liberty to left, ribbon with cotton and wheat in hair, LIBERTY on ribbon, hair in large coif behind head, IN GOD WE TRUST above, seven stars before portrait, six stars behind, date below.

Reverse:

Standing eagle at center, head to left, olive branch and arrows in talons, olive branch and talons pass behind wing tips, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM arc above eagle, ONE DOLLAR curves below.

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