1907 Proof Eagle Pattern - J-1774a/1902

Coin Details

Auction Record

$359,375 PR62 08-11-2010 Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-1774a is a variant of the 1907 Indian Head eagle pattern, differing from the base J-1774 in composition or die state as indicated by the "a" suffix. This pattern carries Saint-Gaudens' revolutionary incuse (sunken relief) design, which would make the Indian Head eagle and its smaller sibling, the quarter eagle, the only regular-issue United States coins ever struck with their design elements recessed below the field surface. The obverse features Liberty wearing a feathered Native American headdress facing left, with thirteen stars around the border and the date 1907 below. The reverse displays a standing eagle with folded wings perched on a bundle of arrows, with an olive branch at the left and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM above. The variant composition or die state captured by the "a" suffix documents a specific experimental configuration tested during the design development process. Saint-Gaudens prepared the eagle design concurrently with the double eagle, though the ten-dollar denomination received somewhat less public attention due to the double eagle's more dramatic visual impact.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8 (Extremely Rare). Die state and composition variants of the 1907 eagle patterns are individually very rare.

Cross References

Judd J-1774a, also PCGS P-1902