1804 Half Eagle Pattern - J-30, Private Restrike

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

This is a private striking in silver from dies of the 1804 half eagle, made outside the Mint after the Mint sold the dies as scrap. The obverse features the Capped Bust Right design by Robert Scot, showing Liberty wearing a tall conical cap with "LIBERTY" inscribed on the headband, surrounded by stars and the date 1804 below. The reverse displays the Heraldic Eagle design with the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" on a banner held in the eagle's beak. Private restrikes of early American dies were a widespread phenomenon during the mid-19th century, when the growing demand for rare coins among collectors created a lucrative market. Individuals with access to retired Mint dies — sometimes Mint insiders, dealers, or their associates — struck impressions in various metals for sale to eager numismatists. uspatterns names Joseph J. Mickley or Montroville Dickeson as the possible striker and notes that its first appearance was in Woodward's sale of the Colburn collection; Heritage identifies the dies as the 1804 BD-4 obverse, cracked across its face, and the BD-7 reverse, both heavily rusted. Three or four plain edge silver examples are believed known. Reference data: struck in silver with a plain edge. Catalogued as Judd-30, Pollock-6080.

Rarity Notes

3 or 4 known in silver with a plain edge (USPatterns.com)

Cross References

Judd-30; Pollock-6080