1873 Proof Eagle Pattern - J-1342, Gilt

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Judd-1342, with the gilt variant referenced as Pollock-1481, this gilt copper eagle ($10) pattern from 1873 recreates the golden appearance of the Liberty Head design for the final time in the Trade Dollar era pattern program. Where the dramatic 1872 gilt eagle pattern had featured the sensational Amazonian design — a muscular, bare-armed Liberty figure wielding a sword that represented the most radical departure from conventional coinage aesthetics in American Mint history — this 1873 version returns to the conservative Liberty Head motif originated by Christian Gobrecht and refined by James B. Longacre, bringing the gilt eagle pattern tradition to a conventional conclusion. The reversion to the standard Liberty Head design in 1873 suggests that the Mint's experimental phase for the eagle denomination had effectively concluded, with the established design prevailing over the more adventurous alternatives explored during the early 1870s pattern program under Mint Director James Pollock and Chief Engraver William Barber. Rated R-7 to R-8 on the rarity scale, approximately 3 to 8 examples survive, placing this among the rarer entries in the comprehensive Judd catalog. The piece represents one of the last gilt gold-denomination patterns of the era, marking the closing chapter of the most prolific period of American pattern coin production — a program that generated the Amazonian, commercial dollar, and metric coinage designs alongside these more traditional Liberty Head presentations.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Very rare, approximately 3-8 examples survive.

Cross References

Judd-1342, Pollock-1481 (gilt variant)