1882 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-1701

Coin Details

Auction Record

$33,600 PR65BN 09-17-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

Copper striking of the Shield Earring half dollar, sharing the identical obverse and reverse dies as the silver J-1700 but struck on a copper planchet with a reeded edge. The warm copper tones provide a strikingly different visual presentation of Morgan's Shield Earring design, revealing surface details and die polishing lines that are sometimes less visible on silver strikings. The obverse Liberty with shield-shaped earring and the reverse defiant eagle are rendered with exceptional sharpness on the softer copper metal, which flows more readily under striking pressure. Copper off-metal strikings of pattern designs served multiple purposes at the Philadelphia Mint: they tested die quality before committing to precious metal planchets, provided affordable examples for the Mint Cabinet collection, and created presentation pieces for officials and favored collectors. The existence of both silver and copper versions of the Shield Earring half dollar allows direct comparison of how Morgan's design translates across different metals.

Rarity Notes

R-7 (Extremely Rare). Approximately 5-8 specimens known, making the copper version somewhat rarer than the silver.

Cross References

Judd J-1701, Pollock P-1903