1870 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-974

Coin Details

Description

The 1870 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-974 is a proof half dollar pattern struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Standard Silver Patterns (1870) series. It belongs to the 1870 Standard Silver patterns, the lighter silver coins that Mint Director James Pollock proposed in his report for 1869 as a replacement for the fractional paper notes, and the Mint again sold sets of them to collectors for $15. On this obverse Liberty faces right in a cap bearing two stars, with LIBERTY in raised letters on the ribbon; USPatterns.com believes these were struck from the 1870 die, with the tip of the cap under the S of STATES. Its reverse repeats the 1869 design, with STANDARD SILVER around the top, the denomination inside a wreath and the date below. USPatterns.com gives every number of this die pair a rating of at least R-7, with a half dozen or fewer confirmed for most. It is struck in aluminum with a plain edge. USPatterns.com rates it R-8. It is also catalogued as Pollock-1086 and Taxay EP769. Cataloged as PCGS #61220.

Rarity Notes

R-8 (USPatterns.com)

Cross References

Judd-974; Pollock-1086; Taxay EP769