1838 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-72a

Coin Details

Description

Judd-72a is a variant of the J-72 pattern half dollar of 1838, struck in a different metal composition than the standard silver J-72. The obverse features the Kneass-attributed Liberty head design (Obverse 1) with Liberty facing left, a sunburst on her tiara, raised "LIBERTY" on her hair ribbon, a brooch at her shoulder, thirteen stars around the border (seven left, six right), and the date 1838 below. The reverse displays a fanciful small eagle clutching an olive branch in its right talon and four arrows in its left talon, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" around the border and "HALF DOLLAR" below. The suffix "a" in the Judd number typically denotes a different metal composition from the base variety, in this case copper rather than silver. The J-72 and its variants represent the earliest of the 1838 half dollar patterns and combine the Kneass obverse with Gobrecht's small eagle reverse.

Rarity Notes

R.7+. Extremely rare; only a few examples known.

Cross References

Pollock-75a