Simpson Brochure 915.Pdf
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About the Collection Bob Simpson has amassed what is probably the most extensive collection of U.S. Patterns ever assembled. With a total of 1,176 coins listed in the PCGS Set Registry®, 779 of the coins are Top Pop and 641 coins are the single finest specimens graded. His Half Cent Patterns - All Metals, God Our Trust Half Dollar Patterns (1861-1863), Gobrecht Dollar Patterns Redbook Set (1836-1839), Trade Dollar Patterns - Short Set (1873), and Amazonian Patterns - Gold (1872) sub-sets are all 100% complete. He has duplicates of many of the coins in his collection and to this day, strives to find the missing rarities he still needs for his sets. PCGS is pleased to share with the public just a small portion of Mr. Simpson’s extraordinary collection. Mr. Simpson was able to acquire many of his spectacular patterns with the help of Legend Numismatics, Inc., Lincroft, NJ. Legend worked with PCGS to give the public an opportunity to see these special sets on display. George T. Morgan’s 1877 Half Dollar Patterns In 1877, George T. Morgan began testing out new designs on Half Dollar Patterns, with the intention of eventually using them on Silver Dollars begin- ning in 1878. This explains why his 1877 Half Dollar Patterns look so familiar to us today – the head he used on the 1877 coins is a miniature version that eventually appeared (with modifica- 1877 50C J-1511, P-1675 – Judd 1511 is a lovely tions) on nearly half a billion silver dollars from copper version of George T. Morgan’s eternal portrait 1878 to 1921. However, the real beauty of this of Miss Anna Williams combined with a miniature ren- series comes from the fabulous reverse designs, dition of the design ultimately utilized on the reverse Morgan Silver Dollar (with some extremely minor edits) all of which revealed this engraver’s incredible in the following year. This coin was part of a series of talent. The defiant eagle design on J-1512 and Half Dollar patterns issued in 1877 which combined several of Morgan’s obverse and reverse designs in a J-1513 is one of our favorites out of the entire variety of different pairings. Four examples are known, series of pattern coins. There are only 20 coins the best of which is Simpson’s PR66RB from the Lenox in this set, but because of the popularity of the Lohr Collection. An illustration of Simpson’s coin was used to represent Judd 1510 and 1511 in the 10th designs, there’s a lot of competition for the few edition of the Judd reference on U.S. Patterns. coins that are available. Morgan’s 1877 Half Dollar are numbered 1503 through 1523 in the Dr. J. Hewitt Judd’s comprehensive reference book on U.S. patterns, representing 21 different die combinations and metal variations. Bob Simpson’s collection contains 18 of them, most of which are either Finest Known, Top Pop, or close. 1877 50C J-1512, P-1676 – Judd 1512 is one of the most impressive works by George T. Morgan, who is best known for his eponymous Silver Dollars of 1878 to 1921. Q. David Bowers once called this design “A high point of Morgan’s engraving art.” The obverse of “1877 Pattern Half Dollars are some of Judd 1512 presents a small head of Liberty sur- the most beautiful coins ever made. In rounded by a bold E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the date below. The reverse features a defiant eagle facing left, my opinion, they are the ultimate design standing on a pedestal incised with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Similar eagles can be seen on the reverse and size for the Morgan head. My goal is of the 1879 “Schoolgirl” Pattern Dollar, the 1915-S Panama-Pacific $2.50, the 1918 Lincoln-Illinois to own an example of every 1877 pattern Centennial Half Dollar, and (in a softer stance) on the – Bob Simpson Walking Liberty Half Dollar. On Judd 1512, the lowest Morgan half minted.” arrow is bent sharply in the form of a lightning bolt. Of the approximately six examples known, Simpson’s PCGS PR66+DCAM is one of the finest. Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan’s $4 Stellas $4 Stellas are among the most popular of all United States coins, primarily because of their unusual denomination, their distinctive design, and their extreme rarity. Stellas were issued in 1879 and 1880 in two versions: 1) Flowing Hair and 2) Coiled Hair. The intended metal was gold, but additional exam- ples were struck in copper, white metal, and alumi- 1877 50C J-1516, P-1680 – Judd 1516 is a very rare num. All of the $4 Stellas are extremely rare, with the coin, with only six examples known. The obverse exception of the gold 1879 Flowing Hair, which was features a small bust of Liberty by George T. Morgan, restruck for distribution and sale to U.S. legislators identical to the larger bust which eventually appeared on the Silver Dollars of 1878. The reverse and collectors. Among the Stellas, the gold versions features a highly stylized American bald eagle with are, by far, the most valuable. As a result, quite a few its wings spread in an unnatural, but impressive, of the off-metal patterns were gold-plated. pose. The eagle perches atop a pedestal inscribed with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. On this reverse, two This composite set contains 15 coins, including all of the arrows are bent sharply, reminding the viewer four of the gold versions, plus an additional eleven of lightning bolts. Simpson’s PR66 J-1516 is the finest off-metal strikes. Simpson’s collection includes an of the Deep Cameo examples and it hails from the R.E. Cox and Mark Hagen Collections. amazing 13 of the 15 required coins. This level of completion is unprecedented, as is the superb quality of the collection (9 of the 13 coins are Top Pops). Not surprisingly, Simpson’s collection is the The Number One Finest Set of All Time in the PCGS Set Registry. In addition, Simpson has acquired six, gilt, off-metal versions to round out his collection. 1877 50C J-1519, P-1683 – With only three examples known, Judd-1519 is one of the highlights of George T. Morgan’s 1877 Pattern Half Dollars. This was one of Morgan’s favorite obverses, as it was paired with six different pattern reverses. This variety features an eagle on a so-called “spade shield,” reminiscent of the shields used on the New Jersey Coppers of 1786 to 1788 and the Union Shields which were 1879 $4 Flowing Hair, J-1635, P-1833 – The 1879 popular icons during the Civil War. Simpson’s PR67RB Flowing Hair Stella is the most common of all the coins example, besides being the finest known example of in this set, but it remains one of the most valuable Judd-1519, is from the Major Lenox R. Lohr and Harry because of its high popularity. Besides, “common” is W. Bass, Jr. collections. a relative term – with an estimated 415 coins struck, the 1879 Flowing Hair Stella is a rarity in anyone’s book. Simpson’s coin is a stunning PCGS PR65CAM. Charles E. Barber and “Save for the George T. Morgan’s $4 Stellas Amazonians, there is no other pattern series as captivating as the Stellas. To have them in all metals is spectacular. The Mint truly created a special coinage for the time.” – Bob Simpson 1879 $4 Coiled Hair, J-1638, P-1838 – Only a dozen Aspire to Greatness. 1879 Coiled Hair Stellas are known in gold. Unlike the 1879 Flowing Hair, these were not restruck in any large Join the PCGS Set Registry®. quantity, if at all. Simpson’s example is an impressive PCGS PR66+CAM, one of only two such examples at The free, interactive PCGS Set Registry that grade level, both of which are only half a point program has revolutionized coin from being finest known. collecting around the world. Established in 2001, the Registry now hosts over 75,400 sets. In addition to every major U.S. coin series, it offers many world coin categories including Australian, British, Canadian, Chinese, Costa Rican, Cuban, French, German, Japa- nese, Mexican, Panamanian, Philippine, 1880 $4 Flowing Hair, J-1657, P-1857 – Approximately 20 examples of the 1880 Flowing Hair Stella are known, Puerto Rican, Russian, South African, though that number may be whittled down when some Spanish, and Swiss coins. of the auction records are matched up. This version has The PCGS Set Registry gives a much smaller date logotype than on the 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, but all other design details are the same. collectors from all over the world the Simpson’s example is a Top Pop PCGS PR67CAM. opportunity to safely show off their PCGS-graded coins in a secure online environment, and compare their collections to some of the greatest ever assembled. Registration for the PCGS Set Registry is free. To learn how you can participate in the program, visit PCGS.com and 1880 $4 Coiled Hair, J-1660, P-1860 – The 1880 Coiled click on the Set Registry link, or Hair Stella is the rarest of the four gold versions. Fewer call 800-447-8848. than 10 examples are known and Simpson’s (a PCGS PR65CAM) is one of the finest. Simpson’s example hails all the way back to the Numismatic Gallery “Memora- ble Sale” of 1948. Unlike the 1879 Flowing Hair Stella, the 1880 Coiled Hair has a date of the same, full size as the preceding year.