1859 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-240

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,140 PR64 05-07-1999 Bowers & Merena

Description

Judd-240 is a copper striking of the 1859 French Head half dollar pattern with the fractional denomination cereal wreath reverse. The obverse displays Longacre's "French Head of Liberty" facing right, while the reverse features the cereal wreath with the denomination expressed as a fraction (50/100 or 50 CENTS), matching the die used for the silver J-239. Like J-239, the upper left leaf on the reverse wreath is detached from the main foliage, a die characteristic that helps distinguish this variety from the J-237/J-238 and J-241/J-242 pairings. Struck in copper with a reeded edge, this pattern shows the fractional denomination design in copper's warm tones. The variety is moderately scarce within the 1859 half dollar pattern series, with copper strikings generally produced in smaller numbers than their silver counterparts.

Rarity Notes

R.6. Approximately 15-25 examples exist.

Cross References

Pollock-296