NNP

1873 T$1 Trade Dollar, Judd-1293, Pollock-1435, R.4, PR66 NGC. CAC. Design. The obverse design is similar to the issued Trade dollar, but Liberty's left hand rests on a globe, her right hand holds a staff, and plow handles are seen behind the globe. On the reverse, the banner bearing E PLURIBUS UNUM is clutched by the eagle in its beak, and the eagle clutches a Federal shield in place of the usual olive branch. Struck in silver with a reeded edge. Commentary. This William Barber design was struck in silver (reeded and plain edge variants); copper with a reeded edge; aluminum, a single piece with reeded edge is extant (Ex: Farouk); and white metal, with two pieces having plain edges known. The reeded edge silver strikings, such as this one, are by far the most available of this popular type. Of the 70 pieces certified (minus a certain number of resubmissions), this is the finest example graded by either service (3/13). Physical Description. Each side is draped with considerable reddish-golden patina in the centers that is surrounded at the margins by a wide band of deep blue. The fields are moderately bright, the depth of the toning subduing the mirror-like finish. As we have noted in the past, die opposition was a problem for this obverse/reverse die pairing; i.e., the highest point of the obverse and the reverse were directly opposite each other and there was simply not enough metal in the planchet to completely fill the design elements on each side. As a result, softness is invariably seen on the hand and breasts of Liberty on the obverse and the center of the eagle on the reverse. We see no contact marks or planchet irregularities that would serve as pedigree identifiers. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4001, realized $22325.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.