1870 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-943
Strike Type
Coin Details
Auction Record
$11,500 PR66 05-27-2003 Superior Galleries
Description
The aluminum reeded-edge version of the three-star cap Liberty Head half dollar pattern, J-943 translates Barber's neoclassical design into the lightest metal employed in the 1870 program. Aluminum's silvery-white color made it the closest visual match to actual silver among the off-metal compositions, potentially making it attractive as a silver substitute from an aesthetic standpoint even as its negligible weight argued against practical adoption. The three stars on Liberty's cap are rendered with particular crispness in aluminum, as the soft metal accepted fine die detail under moderate striking pressure without the die-filling issues that harder metals sometimes produced.
Rarity Notes
R-8. Very rare, estimated 2-4 examples known. Heritage records indicate High R-7 to R-8.
Cross References
Judd-943, Pollock-1071
External References
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