1859 Proof Half Dime Pattern - J-232, Transitional

Coin Details

Auction Record

$70,500 PR65 06-23-2014 Heritage Auctions

Description

Cataloged as Judd-232 (Transitional), this variety of the 1859 proof half dime pairs Anthony C. Paquet's distinctive Seated Liberty obverse with the new cereal wreath reverse destined for adoption in 1860. Like the transitional dime (J-233), this coin was born from the Mint's piecemeal implementation of a major design overhaul, where new reverse dies were ready before the obverse dies were updated. Paquet's Liberty is immediately recognizable by her more upright posture and restyled head compared to the standard Longacre interpretation, along with the hollow-centered stars around the border. The reverse displays the cereal wreath of corn, wheat, and other agricultural products that would serve on half dimes from 1860 until the denomination's abolition in 1873. Struck in the standard 90% silver, 10% copper composition with a reeded edge, this transitional piece carries the correct silver alloy of the regular half dime issue. The Mint's proof production of approximately 800 sets exceeded demand, and the actual number of surviving specimens is lower than the original output.