John Q Little Coin Album
Per cataloger, "The Judd-1988 pattern represents the earliest form of Hermon MacNeil's Standing Liberty quarter design struck in coin form at the Mint. The obverse depicts Liberty in a similar fashion to the final design, with the exception of a few notable differences. These include a greater number of leaves on the olive branch in Liberty's outstretched hand, which were later ordered trimmed down by Mint Director F.H. von Engelken. The designer's initial M is also absent from its residence to the right of the date, and Liberty's hair detail is in much higher relief than is seen on the production 1916 quarter. On the reverse, the eagle is flanked by two branches of olive instead of the stars that were ultimately adopted. Struck in silver with a reeded edge. Three examples of this pattern are known, two of which are permanently housed in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian. That offered here is the only representative known in private hands." "The coin displays glossy surfaces, possibly due at least in part to the die preparation at the Mint, but with slight wear evident. The Stack's Bowers cataloger described the wear as "evidence of casual handling, as opposed to circulation," which is accurate. The softness of the obverse details is similar to that seen on production 1916 quarters, although slightly more pronounced here, as this pattern represents a design that had not yet been fine-tuned. Lilac-gray and pale champagne toning makes up the patina on each side, and a few small marks are seen with a loupe." Provenance: Waldo C. Newcomer; King Farouk (Sotheby's, 2-3/1954), in lot 2018; Abe Kosoff Estate (Bowers and Merena, 11/1985), lot 1131; Jay Cline Collection (Superior, 10/1990), lot 3561; private treaty via Heritage Auctions (2002); Philadelphia ANA (Stack's Bowers, 8/2012), lot 11364. This coin was obtained from Heritage Auction on 8/24/22 as PCGS #90046583 PR50 Pop 1/0.
Per cataloger, "Ex: Simpson. There is a long standing school of thought among many students of the Standing Liberty quarter that the 1916 patterns are more a part of the quarter series itself than the broader pattern lineage. The story of the design competition between Hermon MacNeil, Adolph Weinman, and Albin Polasek in early 1916, and then the evolution of MacNeil's quarter designs throughout the ensuing months, are so intertwined with the history of this series that they are arguably inseparable. Thus, the pattern quarters of 1916, depicting distinct stages in the progression of the working models for the new coin in June (Judd-1988) and October (Judd-1989), are not merely rare installments in the pattern paradigm, they are the Holy Grails of Standing Liberty quarters. Among them, the present Judd-1989 coin is by far the most famous. This piece first appeared at public auction in Stack's October 1985 offering of the Jimmy Hayes Collection." "At the time of the this coin's appearance in the Hayes sale, it was believed to be the only surviving example of the Judd-1989 pattern. The #3 coin referenced in the Mint Director's letter to Joyce was thought lost or destroyed until June 2018, when a second example of the Judd-1989 pattern was discovered, by this cataloger. The newly discovered piece is from the same dies as the Hayes coin and is believed to be the long lost #3 pattern from von Engelken's letter. While Judd-1989 is no longer uniquely represented by the Hayes specimen, the Hayes coin remains unique in the existence of the scratch marks that it shows at the olive branch, which are recognized by both the numismatic community and NGC as the remnants of von Engelken's attempt to remove two olive leaves in October 1916. There are arguably no other single coins or patterns in 20th century numismatics with so distinctive a connection to a specific Mint Director, official correspondence letters, and numismatic lore. Much of the original brilliance remains in the luster, but about 40-50% of each side shows mottled, deep golden, olive, and russet toning that is scattered about in a seemingly random manner. The balance of the coin has a champagne tinge. The only identifying marks on either side are the above-mentioned leaves that were scratched off by Mint Director von Engelken. For the advanced Standing Liberty quarter collector, this specific Judd-1989 pattern will be the single most important acquisition of a lifetime." Provenance: Possibly William McAdoo; memo'ed by Lester Merkin to a part-time dealer in Michigan for $5,000 in the early 1970s; dealer offered the coin to Jay Cline at that time, Cline declined; sold to Jimmy Hayes; Jimmy Hayes Collection (Stack's, 10/1985), lot 48, to Jay Cline; Jay Cline Collection (Superior, 10/1990), lot 3560; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2004), lot 2066; a southern collection; Simpson. Obtained from Heritage Bob R. Simpson, Part VI Auction on 8/18/21 as a NGC PF65. Crossed to PCGS PR65 Pop 1/0.