1873 Proof Half Eagle Pattern - J-1338, Gilt

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Judd-1338 and Pollock-1477 (gilt variant), this gilt copper pattern recreates the golden appearance of the standard Liberty Head half eagle ($5 gold coin) through gold plating applied to a copper striking. The 1873 gilt half eagle uses the conventional Liberty Head design by Christian Gobrecht and James B. Longacre rather than the revolutionary Amazonian motif that had graced the 1872 gilt pattern version, representing a return to conservative design presentation in the final year of the comprehensive pattern program undertaken during the early 1870s under Mint Director James Pollock and Chief Engraver William Barber. This pattern program explored alternative designs and compositions for virtually every denomination in the American coinage lineup, producing hundreds of distinct Judd numbers across multiple years. The gilt finish simulated the appearance of actual gold coinage while using inexpensive copper as the base metal, allowing Mint officials and legislators to evaluate the design's visual impact without expending precious gold bullion. Rated R-7 to R-8 on the rarity scale, approximately 3 to 8 examples are believed to survive, placing this among the rarer entries in the Judd catalog of United States pattern coins. The 1873 patterns mark the closing phase of the most prolific era of American pattern coin production, a period that generated the Amazonian, commercial dollar, and metric coinage designs alongside these more conventional Liberty Head presentations.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Judd-1338, Pollock-1477 (gilt variant)