1873 Pattern Trade Dollar. Judd-1293, Pollock-1435. Rarity-4. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-63 (PCGS).Obv: Liberty is seated left, her left hand resting atop a globe inscribed LIBERTY and her right hand holding a liberty pole. A cotton bale is at Libertys feet, wheat sheaf and plow handles behind. Thirteen stars are arranged around the border, seven left and six right, and the date 1873 is below. Rev: An eagle with outstretched wings supports a shield with its left talon, over which is a ribbon inscribed with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, while its right talon clutches a group of three arrows. A ribbon in the eagles beak is inscribed with the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above, the inscription 420 GRAINS, 900 FINE is below, and the denomination TRADE DOLLAR is at the lower border. This is a predominantly pewter gray example with speckled steel-olive highlights on both sides and, at the lower reverse border, a blush of bolder reddish-russet patina. One of an extensive suite of pattern trade dollars produced in 1873, Judd-1293 was made available to contemporary collectors as part of six-piece pattern Proof sets. This is the most frequently encountered variant of the type (struck in silver with a reeded edge), although in an absolute sense survivors are scarce.From the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. Acquired June 1988. Kagins company tag with attribution notation included.
