 1866 $20.00. With Motto. Judd 549 (High R-7). Gilt Copper, RE. 276.2 grains. A regular die trial piece of the James B. Longacre Type II obverse and reverse designs as adopted this very same year. Brilliant Proof and easily of Choice quality were it not for some very deceptive evidence of repair at areas along the obverse rim. The interior surfaces are otherwise quite assertive and free of all but only the most wispy of light hairlines on either side. Indeed, the presentation of this specimen is quite enticing. Excessively rare. In fact, it is highly unlikely that more than a handful of such specimens are extant!
It should be pointed out that the Dannreuther/Garrett ''Redbook of Auction Records'' lists only a single auction appearance of Judd 549 trial pieces. With this in mind, it can certainly be argued that the High R-7 rarity rating assigned to this issue is actually too low and that R-8 is in fact more accurate!
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