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Sale 17
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Lot 1827
1879 Pattern Dollar. Silver, reeded edge. Judd-1608. Pollock-1804, High Rarity-6. The "Schoolgirl" Garrett Coin. NGC graded Proof 65 Premium Quality. Clearly one of the finest known of this superbly executed pattern silver dollar by George T. Morgan. The obverse is toned with mottled gold and green near the borders while the reverse is toned a lilac hue with deeper gunmetal blue at the borders. Rather well struck for the issue, and similar to the Eliasberg coin, although it appears that this specimen may have a sharper strike on the eagle. The rarity of this pattern is on par with its beauty, NGC and PCGS have graded a combined 6 pieces, with the best grade awarded to 3 different coins as PF-65 by NGC. These include the Eliasberg example, the present coin, which is the Garrett example and one other specimen. Dr. Judd noted in his pattern book that some examples of J-1608 had been cleaned, greatly diminishing their value in todays sophisticated marketplace. Back to the NGC Population Report, another example is graded PF-64 by that service, for a total of 4 coins by that service. PCGS has only graded two specimens of J-1608, one as PR-62 and another as PR-63. This present specimen resides in an old NGC holder, and we wouldn't be surprised if it is graded higher in the future. Currently tied for the finest known with two others, this one boasts a better strike than the similarly graded Eliasberg specimen, and as such certainly has claims to the coveted status of Finest Known of this legendary pattern issue.
Given the certified population of this pattern is holding at a mere 6 coins, we feel that it may actually be a rarity-7 level, with fewer than a dozen known in all. Of course no records exist of the actual mintage, and we are limited to Population Reports, the detailed listing of specimens in the Pollock reference and the occasional auction appearance to provide census information.
As numismatic scholar Q. David Bowers said when he cataloged this coin in the Garrett Sale (3/80:1056) "Of all pattern silver dollar designs, the 'Schoolgirl' ranks high in the esteem of collectors." Later, when cataloging the Eliasberg coins for the May, 1996 sale Bowers states "Today the 1879 'Schoolgirl' dollar stands as what many consider to be the capstone of the United States pattern series or, at the very least, among the top several American coinage motifs." We and many others agree, the seductive beauty of this Schoolgirl pattern challenges the limits of the English language, and simply must be viewed to be fully appreciated by connoisseurs.
Mint Engraver George T. Morgan designed both the obverse and reverse dies for this pattern. For the obverse Morgan chose a youthful Victorian girl with solid features, a regal nose and chin, similar in appearance to the portrait of the lady on Morgan's silver dollar of 1878. She sports a ribbon in her hair, the top of the ribbon states LIBERTY, and the ribbon ends are tied loosely below her ears. Her hair is long and wavy, her only other adornment are pearls around her neck. This design seems to be unique to Morgan, although elements were borrowed from his new silver dollar of 1878, and other pattern issues from 1877 as well.
For the reverse, Morgan may have found inspiration from Titian Peale's drawings of a defiant eagle seen in The U.S. Mint and Coinage by Don Taxay on page 173 and pattern half dollar of 1839 by Christian Gobrecht. Morgan improved the design with a more stylized defiant eagle facing left, first seen in his half dollar pattern issued in 1877 (J-1512, P-1676). It is important to note that Morgan's reverse design was later employed on the 1915-S Panama Pacific Exposition Quarter eagle commemorative. It appears that the reverse design was likely the inspiration behind then Assistant Engraver's John R. Sinnock's 1918 Illinois Commemorative half dollar reverse as well, although no specific evidence has been located linking these aside from the similar pose of the eagle and position of his wings.
A foremost rarity in all grades, and seldom offered except when major collections are sold. This coin will no doubt become the centerpiece of a major pattern collection. Note that this particular coin has been auctioned only twice before, once in each century! If these auction appearances continue at this glacial pace, you may not get another chance to purchase this 'Schoolgirl' until 2101 or later!
Note: We have personally inspected the Eliasberg coin and the Garrett example we are offering is finer in grade.
Estimated Value $75,000-UP.
Ex: W. E. Woodward in August 18, 1883 (this coin was only 4 years old then!), next sold in Bowers & Ruddy's Garrett II Sale, 3/27/1980:1056 at $105,000.
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| Realized $97,750 |
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