1866 Proof Half Eagle Pattern - J-546

Coin Details

Auction Record

$13,800 PR64 09-13-2011 Stack's Bowers

Description

An alternative variety of the 1866 half eagle pattern, J-546 explores a different approach to the WITH MOTTO design on the five-dollar gold piece. The half eagle held special importance in American life — it was the denomination most commonly used for significant personal transactions, savings, and bank reserves. Its role as a store of value made the motto addition symbolically resonant, placing a statement of national faith on the coin most associated with financial security. This pattern variety may test a different die pairing, modified lettering, or alternative positioning of the motto ribbon relative to the eagle. Longacre's careful attention to the half eagle design reflected its commercial importance and the decades of visual tradition that any modification needed to respect.

Rarity Notes

R.7. Approximately 5-10 examples survive.

Cross References

Pollock-3614