1870 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-938

Coin Details

Auction Record

$14,100 PR65 08-08-2013 Heritage Auctions

Description

Completing the second design group, J-938 strikes the Seated Liberty obverse and regular-issue eagle reverse in aluminum with a plain edge. This sixth and final variety in the group represents the furthest departure from a production half dollar: aluminum composition, no edge reeding, and a lower-fineness alloy proposal all combine to create an object that shares only its die designs with the half dollars Americans carried in commerce. As with all aluminum patterns from this era, surviving examples tend to show the characteristic light gray surfaces and occasional minor corrosion that distinguish this reactive metal from more stable silver or copper.

Rarity Notes

R-7. Extremely rare, approximately 4-12 examples survive.

Cross References

Judd-938, Pollock-1045