1870 Proof Half Eagle Pattern - J-1034

Coin Details

Description

The nickel striking of the 1870 half eagle dies, J-1034 concludes the four-variety half eagle pattern group with its hardest and rarest composition. Pure nickel's silvery-white color bears no resemblance to the warm yellow of gold, making this pattern immediately identifiable as an off-metal striking even at a glance. The metal's exceptional hardness would have produced extremely sharp strikes, with every detail of the Liberty portrait and eagle reverse rendered with clinical precision. Nickel half eagle patterns are among the rarest gold denomination off-metals from 1870, with only a handful of examples known to numismatic researchers.

Rarity Notes

R-8. Very rare to unique, estimated 2-3 examples survive.

Cross References

Judd-1034, Pollock-1169