1804 Half Eagle Pattern - J-30, Private Restrike

Coin Details

Auction Record

$55,200 MS64 08-20-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

This is a private restrike of an 1804 half eagle ($5 gold piece) pattern, produced outside of official Mint authorization using original or copied dies from the early Philadelphia Mint. 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. The year 1804 holds special mystique in American numismatics due to the legendary 1804 silver dollar and the 1804 eagle, both among the most coveted coins in existence. This private restrike half eagle pattern partakes of that mystique while remaining a distinct class of numismatic item — authentic in its die origins but unauthorized in its production. The piece is an essential reference for scholars studying the complex history of restrikes and the sometimes blurry line between official and unofficial productions at the early US Mint.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. Fewer than a dozen specimens survive. One of the rarest entries among privately-issued patterns.

Cross References

Judd-30; Pollock-30