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Sale 62
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Lot 2030
1916 Pattern Half Dollar. Silver, reeded edge. Judd-1992. Low Rarity 7. Pollock-2053. NGC graded AU-53. Untoned. Very popular 20th century pattern. This significant 20th century Pattern with LIBERTY (appearing as LiberTy) and IN GOD WE TRUST in large letters in the right obverse field last appeared in the 2007 F.U.N. sale. It was described as having "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."
Until the 1930s, collectors were unaware there were any prototype 1916 strikings. Then a description of these rare Patterns appeared in the April 1937 issue of The Numismatist. Mint Director F.J.H. von Engelken (September 1916 to March 1917), said in 1916, "The design of the half dollar bears a full-length figure of Liberty, the folds of the Stars and Stripes flying to the breeze as a background, progressing in full stride toward 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 reverse of the half dollar shows an eagle perched high upon a mountain crag, his wings unfolded, fearless in spirit and conscious of his power. Springing from a rift in the rock is a sapling of mountain pine, symbolical of America."
According to the F.U.N. sale cataloger, "The specimen offered here appears to have been carried as a pocket piece or perhaps even circulated for a brief period of time. If so, imagine the curious looks it may have received or the elation upon its eventual discovery. The surfaces are a bright silver-gray and reveal a few light scratches on the major design elements upon close inspection, most notably on the eagle's forewing. A small lump of extra metal on the reverse border above ED of UNITED is useful for future attribution. A fascinating prototype for one of the most widely collected and beautiful designs in 20th century American numismatics." Pop 1; 3 finer.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000.
Ex Heritage January 2007 F.U.N. sale.
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| Realized $28,750 |
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