1870 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-994
Strike Type
Coin Details
Auction Record
$15,525 PR65 01-07-2004 Heritage Auctions
Description
Struck in aluminum with a reeded edge, J-994 is a die trial impression from the 1870 half dollar pattern series. Aluminum die trials are less common than copper ones because the metal's hardness relative to copper made it less ideal for routine die testing, and its higher cost in the pre-1886 era discouraged casual use. The existence of aluminum die trials alongside copper ones indicates that the Mint was specifically interested in how the dies performed with this lighter metal, evaluating whether aluminum planchets required different striking pressures or die preparation than conventional compositions.
Rarity Notes
R-7. Extremely rare, approximately 4-12 examples survive.
Cross References
Judd-994, Pollock-1124
External References
Error Varieties
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