1838 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-76, Restrike

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

Cataloged as Judd-76 (Pollock-83) and rated R.7-8, this restrike version of the pattern shares the same basic design as the original striking but was produced in the 1870s for the collector market. The obverse features the Seated Liberty design without drapery, with LIBERTY incused on the shield in what Judd references term the "straight date" configuration. The reverse carries the distinctive heraldic eagle with extended wings, olive branch, and four arrows, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and the denomination below. Struck in silver with a plain edge. All half dollar patterns struck from this particular obverse die, identifiable by its incused LIBERTY lettering, are attributed as 1870s restrikes rather than original 1838 productions. The use of original dies decades after their creation was a common practice during the period when Mint officials supplemented their income by producing numismatic rarities for a growing collector base. uspatterns.com records two plain-edge silver examples. Reference data: struck in silver with a plain edge, rated R-8. Catalogued as Judd-76, Pollock-83, A/W 74, Taxay EP100. Incuse liberty obverse (so-called straight date) believed struck in mid 1870s - rusted dies.

Rarity Notes

R-8 (USPatterns.com)

Cross References

Judd-76; Pollock-83; Adams-Woodin 74; Taxay EP100