1838 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-74, Restrike

Strike Type

Coin Details

Year

1838

Denomination

Patterns

Mint Mark

Strike Type

Proof

Series

Early Republic Patterns (1792-1859)

Designer

William Kneass (obverse); Christian Gobrecht (reverse)

Composition

Copper

Weight

13.36g

Diameter

32.5mm

Edge

Reeded

Auction Record

Price realized: $57,500
Sold: November 2019
Grade: PR66 BN NGC
Auction house: Heritage Auctions (Bob R. Simpson Collection)

Description

Judd-74 Restrike is the copper restrike version of the 1838 half dollar pattern, combining the Kneass-attributed Liberty head obverse (Obverse 1) with Gobrecht's flying eagle reverse (Reverse B). The obverse features Liberty facing left with luxuriant tresses, "LIBERTY" on the ribbon in her hair, seven stars to the left, six to the right, and the date 1838 below. The reverse shows Gobrecht's flying eagle in a plain field, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" above and "HALF DOLLAR" below. Struck in copper, this piece is unique in this composition. The presence of die cracks and die rust on both sides indicates it was struck at a late die state, dating its production to as late as the 1870s. uspatterns.com describes it as a restrike of the 1870s. It appeared in Heritage Auctions' Bob R. Simpson Collection sale. Cataloged as PCGS #11291. Reference data: struck in copper with a reeded edge, rated unique. Catalogued as Judd-74, Pollock-78, A/W 73. restrike from the 1870s ex Woodside, Brand, Norweb, New Netherlands 41st 9/53, Macy's 6/54 178 grains.