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1872 Proof Half Eagle Pattern - J-1242

Strike Type
1872 Proof Half Eagle Pattern - J-1242

Coin Details

Year
1872
Denomination
Patterns
Mint Mark
P
Strike Type
Proof
Series
Trade Dollar Era Patterns (1871-1873)
Designer
William Barber
Composition
Aluminum
Diameter
21.6mm
Edge
Reeded

Auction Record

$46,000 PR66 08-18-2011 Stack's Bowers

Description

Struck in aluminum, J-1242 translates the Liberty Head half eagle into the exotic lightweight composition. An aluminum half eagle, at the full diameter of a $5 gold coin but weighing barely more than a production cent, creates a particularly disorienting handling experience for anyone accustomed to the substantial heft of gold coinage. The piece demonstrates the purely experimental character of aluminum gold-denomination patterns.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Very rare, approximately 3-8 examples survive.

Cross References

Judd-1242, Pollock-1378

External References

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