1838 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-76, Restrike

Coin Details

Auction Record

$26,400 PR63 08-22-2021 Heritage Auctions

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. Despite the restrike origin, these pieces remain extremely rare, with the combined original and restrike population rated R.7-8.