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Sale 72
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Lot 1676
1916 Pattern Half Dollar. Silver, Reeded Edge. Judd-1797/1992. Pollock-2053 Low Rarity 7. PCGS graded Proof 50. Untoned and a very important pattern. The designers of the Patterns appearing during this year were apparently influenced by the wars in Europe and this nation's desire for peace.
A. A. Weinman designed a dime in which the obverse was a winged head of Liberty derived from the denarii of Ancient Rome. Hermon A. MacNeil made the designs for a quarter dollar which was "intended to typify in a measure the awakening interest of the country to its own protection." Liberty is shown "stepping forward to the gateway of the country." This half dollar of A. A. Weinman depicts Liberty "progressing in full stride towards the dawn of a new day, carrying branches of laurel and oak, symbolical of civil and military glory. The hand of the figure is outstretched in bestowal of the spirit of liberty." The eagle is "fearless in spirit and conscious of his power" and "his size and proportions are in keeping with the greatness and power of the country." The sapling of mountain pine springing from the rift in the rock is "symbolical of America."'
In recent years some have expressed surprise that when a new specimen of a 1916 Pattern is discovered it is usually worn, quite contrary to what one expects of a Pattern. The fact is that these Patterns so closely resembled the regular issue that they were put into circulation by one owner after another. It seems obvious that there are probably six or more different varieties with about a dozen specimens known over-all.
A significant 20th century Pattern rarity with LIBERTY (appearing as LiberTy) and IN GOD WE TRUST in large letters in the right obverse field. The reverse features an eagle that is a likeness of the final version of the Walking Liberty design, but with there the similarity ends. Above the eagle are the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR, while E PLURIBUS UNUM appears beneath the branch on which the eagle is perched. There are several different variations of 1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Patterns known. The earlier issues and the eighth edition of the Judd reference listed six varieties, while Andrew Pollock included a seventh variety. Based on the pedigree research of Saul Teichman on his usPatterns.com website, only about 20 examples of all different varieties are currently known. Five of these are in the Smithsonian Institution, leaving a net available population of just 15 coins according to modern opinion. Pop 1; 3 finer, 2 in 55, 1 in 63 (PCGS # 62290) .
Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000.
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| Realized $29,900 |
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