1916 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-1799/1995

Coin Details

Auction Record

$216,000 PR65 04-25-2021 Heritage Auctions

Description

A dual-numbered Walking Liberty half dollar pattern bearing catalog numbers J-1799 and 1995. This proof striking presents another die combination from the 1916 half dollar design evaluation, documenting a specific stage in the transition from Weinman's sculptural model to production-ready coinage. The die reduction process — translating an artist's large-scale plaster model into a steel die small enough to strike coins — was one of the most technically demanding operations at the Philadelphia Mint. Chief Engraver Charles Barber used a Janvier reducing lathe to mechanically reduce Weinman's models, but the process inevitably lost some fine detail, requiring hand-engraving to restore critical elements. The multiple pattern strikings from this period allowed comparison between different stages of die preparation and hand-finishing, as the Mint sought the optimal balance between Weinman's artistic intent and the practical requirements of mass production. The Walking Liberty design was particularly challenging because of its extensive flat areas (the sky behind Liberty) that were prone to uneven striking, a problem that would plague the coin's production throughout its three-decade run.

Rarity Notes

R-7 (Extremely Rare). Individual Walking Liberty pattern die combinations are very scarce.

Cross References

Judd J-1799, also cataloged as 1995