1859 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-245

Coin Details

Auction Record

$8,050 • PR65 NGC • 06-2005 • Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-245 is a silver pattern half dollar combining Longacre's "French Head of Liberty" obverse with the cereal wreath reverse enclosing the denomination HALF DOLLAR (spelled out in full rather than abbreviated). The obverse displays the celebrated Romanesque bust of Liberty facing right with a crown of oak and vine leaves and the LIBERTY scroll. The reverse features a wreath of agricultural motifs enclosing the full denomination HALF DOLLAR, distinguishing it from patterns that use abbreviations like HALF DOL. Or 50 CENTS. Struck in silver with a reeded edge, J-245 is one of the scarcer die combinations in the 1859 French Head series. The use of the full denomination spelling represents another of the many configurations tested during this prolific year of pattern production at the Philadelphia Mint.

Rarity Notes

R.7. Approximately 7-12 examples exist.

Cross References

Pollock-301