1870 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-941
Strike Type
Coin Details
Auction Record
$5,175 PR65 01-01-2009 Heritage Auctions
Description
Struck in copper with a reeded edge, J-941 presents the three-star cap Liberty Head obverse and STANDARD wreath reverse in a metal that reveals different artistic qualities than the silver original. Copper's superior malleability under striking pressure often produces sharper hair detail and crisper star definition on the cap than silver strikings from the same dies, making copper patterns particularly useful for evaluating the quality of die engraving. The warm reddish-brown tones lend a distinctly Mediterranean quality to the neoclassical Liberty portrait, evoking the ancient Roman bronze coins that originally inspired the Phrygian cap motif.
Rarity Notes
R-7-. Extremely rare, approximately 7-15 examples known.
Cross References
Judd-941, Pollock-1068
External References
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