1870 Proof Half Dime Pattern - J-812

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,990 PR66 05-01-2007 Bowers & Merena

Description

Translating the Seated Liberty half dime design into copper-nickel, J-812 explores the visual effect of rendering a traditionally silver denomination in the base-metal alloy that had already captured the five-cent marketplace through the Shield nickel. The juxtaposition is particularly meaningful because the half dime and the nickel five-cent piece were direct commercial competitors in 1870, representing old and new approaches to the same denominational niche. A copper-nickel half dime would have blurred the distinction between these rival coinages even further.

Rarity Notes

R-6 to R-7. Approximately 10-20 examples known.

Cross References

Judd-812, Pollock-905