1859 50C J-237 PR(PCGS#11966)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

6578

Grade

PR65

Price

2,400

Lot Description

<strong>Obv:</strong> James Barton Longacre's French Liberty head facing right with a crown of leaves on her head and the word LIBERTY inscribed on a ribbon draped over her shoulder. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around the border and the date 1859 is below. <strong>Rev:</strong> The denomination HALF DOLLAR is centered within a wreath of cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, corn, wheat and oak leaves. This handsome and fully original Gem exhibits vivid reddish-orange and lilac-rose undertones to dominant smoky-gray patina. Both sides are fully struck with an expectably smooth appearance for the assigned grade. A popular and frequently encountered pattern type, although offered here at an uncommonly high level of preservation. The attribution of this design type to Longacre is based on numismatic tradition; the engraver may have been Anthony C. Paquet.