1916 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-1798/1991

Coin Details

Auction Record

$92,000 PR61 07-27-2008 Stack's

Description

A dual-numbered Walking Liberty half dollar pattern, cataloged as both J-1798 and 1991. This proof striking represents one of the die combinations evaluated during the development of Weinman's half dollar design, which was undergoing simultaneous refinement with his Mercury dime. The Commission of Fine Arts, under the leadership of chairman Charles Moore, played a decisive role in selecting Weinman's Walking Liberty over competing designs, praising its dynamic composition and sculptural quality. The Walking Liberty obverse broke dramatically with tradition: instead of the static bust or seated figure that had characterized American coin portraits for over a century, Weinman depicted Liberty in motion — a full-figure composition more typical of large-format medals than small-denomination coins. This ambitious approach required exceptional skill in die reduction, as the complex folds of the flag draping and Liberty's flowing gown demanded precise rendering at half dollar scale. The dual catalog numbering reflects the independent classification efforts of different pattern coin scholars, with J-1798 representing the traditional Judd assignment and 1991 an alternative reference number.

Rarity Notes

R-7 (Extremely Rare). Walking Liberty half dollar patterns are highly sought after.

Cross References

Judd J-1798, also cataloged as 1991