1870 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-982

Coin Details

Auction Record

$7,260 PR65 05-20-1996 Bowers & Merena

Description

The plain-edge silver companion to J-981, this pattern marries the open-wreath coronet obverse with the regular eagle reverse. Removing the reeded edge from an otherwise production-ready combination created a coin that looked right but felt wrong in the hand of anyone accustomed to handling circulating half dollars. The smooth edge represented a genuine variable in the coinage reform discussion, as it would have reduced production costs while potentially increasing counterfeiting risk on the reduced-weight standard silver planchet.

Rarity Notes

R-7. Extremely rare, estimated 4-12 examples known.

Cross References

Judd-982, Pollock-1102