1870 Half Dollar Die Trial - J-A1870-1

Coin Details

Auction Record

$5,040 MS62 09-17-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

A die trial of the Seated Liberty half dollar, struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1870. By this date, the Seated Liberty design had been in production for over three decades, having been introduced on the half dollar in 1839. Die trials from the regular production era served a practical purpose: they allowed Mint personnel to verify that newly prepared dies would produce acceptable strikes before committing silver blanks. The 1870 half dollar was produced during the Reconstruction era, when the Mint was operating at high capacity to restore the nation's monetary system after the disruptions of the Civil War. Christian Gobrecht's Seated Liberty design, which depicts Liberty seated on a rock holding a liberty cap on a pole, had proven remarkably durable and would continue in use on the half dollar through 1891. This die trial, cataloged as Judd appendix A1870-1, provides insight into the Mint's quality control procedures during routine production. While die trials from pattern denominations often attract the most attention, trials from established denominations like this one are equally important as records of the Mint's day-to-day operations.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Die trials of regular-issue Seated Liberty half dollars are uncommon, as most were recycled or destroyed after use.

Cross References

Judd A1870-1; Pollock; United States Mint, Philadelphia