Eric P. Newman Collection, Part I (Envelopes)

1870 $20 Twenty Dollar, Judd-1038, Pollock-1173, R.7, PR67 S Red and Brown NGC. CAC. Design. The regular dies of the Type Two Liberty double eagle. The reverse has GOD above the arc line of IN and WE. Struck in copper with a reeded edge. Tiny raised die lines appear around IBE of LIBERTY. They resemble lint marks, only raised, and are possibly from lint marks on the hub when the die was produced. Commentary. Only four or five examples of this pattern variety are known, along with two examples in aluminum and one in nickel composition. NGC and PCGS have certified six submissions with three of those designated as gilt pieces. Clearly of extreme interest to the pattern specialist, and appropriate as an association item for the collection of proof double eagles. The raised "lint marks" described above are identical to those observed on regular issue 1870 proof double eagles. Physical Description. It is our opinion that this Superb Gem proof deserves a Cameo designation for its obvious contrast between the deeply mirrored fields and lustrous devices. Both sides show smoothly blended orange mint color and light brown patina with a hint of violet. A thin toning line crosses the upper obverse. This impressive piece has a bold strike with extraordinary aesthetic appeal. Provenance. "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $100; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3991, realized $76375.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1870 $3 Three Dollar, Judd-1029, Pollock-1164, R.7, PR65 Red and Brown NGC. CAC. Design. The regular three dollar gold dies. Struck in copper with a reeded edge. Commentary. The regular dies three dollar gold pieces of 1870 include five or six known in copper, two or three in aluminum, and one in nickel composition. NGC and PCGS have combined to certify four submissions, and the Newman specimen is the finest of those. One other NGC graded coin carries the PR65 Brown description. Physical Description. Both sides combine light orange mint color with reddish-brown and delicate blue-green patina. Provenance. "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $60; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3990, realized $12337.50. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1870 G$1 Gold Dollar, Judd-1023, Pollock-1158, High R.7, PR65 Red and Brown NGC. Design. Struck from regular issue gold dollar dies, but in copper with a reeded edge. Commentary. These curious pieces were most likely struck for sale to collectors as part of complete off-metal sets as there was no obvious reason for their production. Examples are also known in aluminum and nickel. Only four or five copper strikings are believed known today. Physical Description. While designated as Red and Brown, the surfaces are more of an evenly and slightly mellowed red, yielding a rich cherry-red color overall with blue tints interspersed. The strike details are complete over each side. The only surface flaws are Mint-made, a couple of thin lint marks located around the 1 in the denomination. Provenance. "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $50; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3989, realized $7637.50. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1870 $1 Dollar, Judd-1003, Pollock-1135, R.7, PR66+ NGC. CAC. Design. William Barber's design features a seated Liberty facing left, supporting a shield with her right hand and holding an olive branch in her left hand. A scroll inscribed LIBERTY crosses the shield and a pole stands freely behind, supporting a Liberty cap. The date is below and 13 stars are around. The reverse is the type of the regular With Motto Seated dollars. Struck in silver with a plain edge. Commentary. This William Barber design was sold as part of complete silver sets. Sets were also available in copper and aluminum with either reeded or plain edges. An estimated dozen pieces are known. Physical Description. The centers are deep reddish-tinged gray with equally deep blue around the borders. The fields are brightly reflective, even through the significant toning that covers each side. The devices appear to be frosted beneath the rich layers of patina. This + graded example is the finest certified Judd-1003, taking into account non-Cameo, Cameo, and Deep/Ultra Cameo pieces. The closest rivals are an NGC PR66 and a PCGS PR66 (2/13). From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3988, realized $25850.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1870 P50C Standard Silver Half, Judd-963, Pollock-1059, R.7, PR66 Cameo NGC. CAC. Design. The central obverse features a capped head of Liberty with two stars, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above, and the motto in a banner below. The reverse shows an open oak and laurel wreath surrounding the denomination, with STANDARD SILVER above, the date below, and two stars separating the date and legends. Struck in silver, with a reeded edge. Commentary. The Standard Silver series of 1869 and 1870 presents the ultimate challenge to pattern collectors, due to the extensive number of varieties produced during those two years. Multiple obverse and reverse dies were used with pieces struck in various compositions and several denominations. In point of illustration, four different obverse dies were used for the 1870 Standard Silver half dollars alone. Physical Description. An exceptional Premium Gem Cameo proof, this brilliant silver half dollar has splendid field-to-device contrast with deep mirrors and lustrous motifs. Peripheral gold and iridescent toning add to the eye appeal. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3987, realized $4700.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1870 P50C Seated Half, Judd-933, Pollock-1039, R.7, PR66 Cameo NGC. CAC. Design. The obverse portrays a seated figure of Liberty with shield and olive branch. A scroll is draped over the shield, with the word LIBERTY inscribed, and a Liberty pole is positioned behind the shield. Thirteen stars surround the central devices, with the date in the exergue. The reverse is the design used for regular-issue coinage in 1870. Struck in silver with a reeded edge. Commentary. William Barber's lovely Seated Liberty design is a classic in American numismatic art, and even more beautiful with field-to-device contrast, as seen here. NGC and PCGS have combined to grade 13 specimens, including just three Cameo and two Deep Cameo pieces. The Newman example is the finest that NGC has examined. Physical Description. A stunning Premium Gem Cameo proof, this specimen exhibits deeply mirrored silver surfaces with frosty devices that possess bold, intricate details. Delicate gold and light blue toning resides along the obverse border with champagne toning over the entire reverse. The reverse has a trivial rim indentation, as struck, at 3:30. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3986, realized $9400.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1870 10C Ten Cents, Judd-834, Pollock-924, High R.6, PR66 Red and Brown NGC. CAC. Design. Attributed to William Barber, the obverse depicts a seated figure of Liberty facing left and supporting a shield in her right hand, an olive branch in her left. A free-standing liberty pole is present behind the shield. Regular dies reverse. Struck in copper with a plain edge. Commentary. An estimated dozen or so examples are known of this plain-edge variant. Physical Description. This example retains almost complete mint luster with just the tiniest speckling of blue-brown seen on each side. Each side sparkles with brightness from the combination of the proofing process and the significant mint red. The strike is sharp throughout, and the only identifiers for pedigree purposes are a spot on the lower part of the M in DIME on the reverse and a tiny planchet void below that same letter. Only 12 coins have been certified (minus an unknown number of resubmissions) in both Red and Brown and Red by both grading services; this piece is the finest Red and Brown example (2/13). Provenance. "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $8.50; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3985, realized $3055.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1870 10C Ten Cents, Judd-834, Pollock-924, High R.6, PR66 Brown NGC. CAC. Design. The William Barber obverse depicts a seated figure of Liberty facing left and supporting a shield in her right hand with an olive branch in her left. A free-standing liberty pole is present behind the shield. The reverse is from a regular issue Seated dime reverse die. Struck in copper with a plain edge. Commentary: Among the several hundred variants of 1870-dated patterns, this series is one of the more completable ones. The silver and copper strikings of this die pairing are obtainable with patience, and only the aluminum pieces present a significant collecting challenge. Physical Description: Unlike most of the copper pieces in this series, this example retains significant remnants of the original red surrounding the devices, especially on the reverse. Elsewhere the surfaces are deep blue-gray. The strike is well-defined in most areas with just the slightest weakness on the head of Liberty and the upper leaves of the wreath. There are no obvious marks or spots that would serve as pedigree identifiers. This is the finest Brown example certified by either of the major services (2/13), From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3984, realized $3172.50. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1870 10C Ten Cents, Judd-833, Pollock-923, R.7, PR65+ Red NGC. CAC. Design. On the obverse, a left-facing seated Liberty holds a shield at her right side and an olive branch in her left hand. A scroll inscribed LIBERTY flows across the shield and a Liberty cap and pole stand in the background. UNITED STATES/OF AMERICA occupies the periphery with the date, 1870, in exergue. The reverse is that of the regular dime issue for the year. Struck in copper with a reeded edge. Commentary. The Pollock reference itemizes five examples and lists seven additional appearances, while USPatterns.com suggests that 12 examples are known. There may actually be slightly more than a dozen survivors. NGC and PCGS have certified 22 pieces in all grades, and 21 of those are designated Brown or Red and Brown. Only the Newman example is designated Red. Physical Description. This impressive Gem has brilliant orange mint color with a few trivial spots and slight mellowing of the mint color on the reverse. Boldly struck, as expected for this Gem proof. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3983, realized $3818.75. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1870 10C Ten Cents, Judd-831, Pollock-921, High R.6, PR67 NGC. CAC. Design. A left-facing seated Liberty holds a shield at her right side and an olive branch in her left hand. A scroll inscribed with LIBERTY flows across the shield, and a crudely fashioned cap and pole are suspended in the background. UNITED STATES/OF AMERICA occupies the periphery with the date, 1870, in exergue. The reverse is that of the regular dime issue for the year. Struck in silver with a reeded edge. Commentary. This variety marks the beginning of the Judd-831 to Judd-836 run of 1870 dime patterns. William Barber's obverse die was mated with a regular reverse die to create the six patterns, struck in silver, copper, and aluminum, both reeded edge and plain edge versions. These patterns were not produced to test a new concept. They were intended for sale to collectors whose numbers were increasing due to the broadened circulation of numismatic periodicals. It is believed that about a dozen pieces are known of this metal and edge combination. Physical Description. Both sides are covered with mauve, bright blue, and rich rose colored toning, with slightly lighter hues on the reverse. The deep mirrored fields flash intensely through the toning, and there are no obvious contact marks on either side. Well-struck, but just short of full with slight softness on the head of Liberty and the uppermost leaves on the wreath. Unsurprisingly, this Superb Gem is the finest certified at both of the services (2/13). Provenance. "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $15; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3982, realized $5581.25. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.