1859 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-235

Coin Details

Auction Record

$6,600 • PR65+ Cameo PCGS • 01-2022 • Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-235 is a silver pattern half dollar from the extensive 1859 series featuring James B. Longacre's "French Head of Liberty" obverse design. The obverse displays a Romanesque bust of Liberty facing right, wearing a crown of intertwined oak and vine leaves with a scroll inscribed LIBERTY around her neck, surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date 1859. Despite its "French Head" nickname, the portrait is actually modeled after the Apollo Belvedere, a famous classical Greek sculpture. The reverse features Anthony C. Paquet's Liberty Seated design with fasces, where Liberty is seated holding a fasces and shield, with thirteen stars around the periphery. Struck in silver with a reeded edge, J-235 is part of the systematic design evaluation conducted at the Mint in 1859 when Director Snowden commissioned multiple pattern designs for the half dollar. The Mint prepared sets of four different half dollar patterns for sale to collectors.

Rarity Notes

R.5. Approximately 30-60 examples exist.

Cross References

Pollock-282; Pollock-284