Lot 1238
1877 Pattern Half Dollar. Copper, reeded edge. Judd-1525. Pollock-1691. Low Rarity 7. NGC graded Proof 67 Brown. Lovely brown colors. The central figure of the obverse is a bust of Liberty facing left. Liberty wears a cap with a wide band, and her hair is confined by a ribbon. The band of the cap is inscribed LIBERTY and is adorned with wheat and cotton. An array of 13 stars surrounds the bust, and the date is below. The reverse features an eagle, displayed on a shield, clutching an olive branch and three arrows. A circular band is visible behind the shield, with the Gothic inscriptions "In God We trust" and "e pluribus unum." The peripheral inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR. Struck in copper with a reeded edge.
From the FUN 2009 Commentary. "Barber's distinctive obverse design was later used on the Goloid pattern dollars of 1878-1880. There are two varieties of Judd-1525, which Andrew Pollock designated as Pollock-1691 and 1693. The present coin is an example of the former designation, characterized by the second 7 in the date being distant from the dentils. USpatterns.com currently traces eight examples of Pollock-1691 (see the website for detailed census information). The coin offered here is a virtually unimprovable specimen, off the market since 1971. Advanced pattern collectors should be prepared for stiff competition when this lot comes up for bidding.
"A beautiful array of mint red, crimson, olive, and light blue toning makes this coin a visual treat. All elements of the intricate design are finely detailed and complement the flawless surfaces to produce fantastic eye appeal. The present coin is the finest certified example in the Brown category at both NGC and PCGS." Pop 1; none finer at NGC.
Note: More Patterns were made in 1877 than in any other year. Most numerous are the rare Pattern half dollars which form one of the most beautiful and interesting series of all. They include designs by Anthony C. Paquet, William Barber and George T. Morgan. Judd-1525 is by the Mint's chief engraver, Barber. William Barber (born in London in 1807), became chief engraver at the Philadelphia Mint following the death on January 1, 1869, of James B. Longacre, who had held the post since 1844. He produced many dies for Pattern coins during the decade of the 1870s, most notably a large oeuvre of 20-cent pieces 1874-1875, commercial dollars and trade dollars 1873-1876, the handsome half dollars of 1877, and silver dollars 1878-1879, among numerous others. His work varies from the ordinary to the inspired, perhaps his 1872 Amazonian silver coins representing his most acclaimed accomplishment in the latter category. For several years after Longacre's death, Barber used Longacre hubs and models to create new varieties of Seated Liberty motifs, later making his own version (which seemed to fall short of Longacre's work). Important to the study of Patterns, William Barber was front row center during the most pivotal era of Pattern issuance in American history, during the regime of Henry Linderman, during the making and/or distribution of restrikes, irrelevant mulings, etc. No doubt, if he had written his numismatic biography, many secrets would have been revealed. Today, the Pattern field is richly endowed with his work.
Estimated Value $24,000 - 26,000.
Ex: Public Auction Sale (Lester Merkin, 9/1967), lot 542; Public Auction Sale (Lester Merkin, 6/1971), lot 887; Heritage FUN 1/2009.
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