1858 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-222

Coin Details

Auction Record

$21,600 PR65 01-05-2023 Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-222 is a pattern half dollar struck in silver with the regular 1858 Liberty Seated obverse paired with a new reverse die by Anthony C. Paquet, who had joined the Philadelphia Mint as an assistant engraver in October 1857. The obverse displays Christian Gobrecht's Liberty Seated design with thirteen stars around the border and the date 1858 below. Paquet's reverse features an eagle with outstretched wings bearing a shield on its breast, clutching three long slender arrows in its left talon and an olive branch in its right, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border and HALF DOL. Below. This reverse represents Paquet's earliest known work at the Mint, marking the beginning of his prolific pattern career that would culminate in the famous 1861 Paquet Reverse double eagle. Whether these patterns were actually struck in 1858 or produced a year or two later using an 1858-dated obverse die remains undocumented. Approximately a dozen examples exist on both thick and thin planchets.

Rarity Notes

R.6+. Approximately 12 examples exist on thick and thin planchets.

Cross References

Pollock-265