1859 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-242, Restrike

Coin Details

Description

This restrike of Judd-242 represents a later striking from the original dies, produced after the initial 1859 production run. Restrikes of popular pattern coins were commonly produced at the Philadelphia Mint during the 1860s and later, often using original dies that had been retained in the Mint's vault. The obverse displays Longacre's "French Head of Liberty" and the reverse shows the cereal wreath with 50 CENTS, identical in design to the original J-242 but distinguishable by die state characteristics such as increased die rust, lapping marks, or differences in strike quality. Restrikes were produced primarily for sale or trade to collectors, a practice that was common under several Mint Directors. While sharing the same artistic merit as the original strikings, restrikes are cataloged separately and are typically valued somewhat differently by collectors who prioritize originality of striking.

Rarity Notes

R.6+. Rarer than original strikings; fewer than 15 restrike examples exist.

Cross References

Pollock-298 (restrike)