1878 Proof Half Eagle Pattern - J-1573a

Coin Details

Auction Record

$19,200 PR66+BN 04-25-2021 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1878 Proof Half Eagle Pattern - J-1573a is a proof Gold Half Eagle struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Metric & Stella Patterns (1874-1879) series. The obverse features experimental designs including the famous Stella ($4 gold piece) featuring Liberty with flowing hair or coiled hair and the reverse displays a five-pointed star containing the denomination FOUR DOL.. Struck during the Gilded Age of rapid industrialization and the great silver debates, when monetary policy shaped elections and economic destiny. As a proof issue, this coin was struck multiple times on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements prized by collectors. Struck at the original U.S. Mint facility, in continuous operation since 1792. Auction record: $19,200 PR66+BN 04-25-2021 Heritage Auctions. Struck in copper. Cataloged as PCGS #71895.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8 (Extremely Rare). Gold denomination patterns from this era are among the rarest, with most varieties known in fewer than ten specimens.

Cross References

Judd J-1573a, Pollock P-1718a