1860 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-269, Mint Defaced

Coin Details

Auction Record

$37,375 PR60BN 01-01-2009 Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-269, Pollock-317, is a proof half dollar pattern bearing intentional defacement marks applied by the Philadelphia Mint. The practice of defacing pattern dies was employed to prevent unauthorized strikings after the approved number of impressions had been taken. The obverse shows the Seated Liberty design with the date 1860, and the reverse features an experimental design variation. Deep gouges or cancellation marks were applied to the dies, and impressions were sometimes taken after defacement to document the cancellation. These "Mint Defaced" specimens serve as important evidence of 19th-century Mint security practices and die management procedures.

Rarity Notes

Rarity-7 to R-8. Extremely rare. Mint-defaced patterns are scarce across all denominations. Auction appearances are rare and values depend heavily on the degree of defacement.

Cross References

Judd-269; Pollock-317