1838 50C J-73 Original PR(PCGS#11285)

The March 2012 Baltimore Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

7093

Grade

PR62+*

Price

4,888

Lot Description

1838 Pattern Half Dollar. Judd-73, Pollock-77. Rarity-5. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-62+ (NGC). CAC. Dies aligned 360 degrees or medal turn. Obverse with stylish large bust of Liberty left, beaded tiara with sunburst, ribbon in hair adorned with LIBERTY, stars flank 7X6, date below, reverse with large flying eagle left, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HALF DOLLAR around, die heavily cracked as always seen. Nicely struck throughout with only a hint of the central weakness that usually accompanies examples of this variety. Dies by William Kneass. The <em>uspatterns.com </em>website notes: "These exist as both originals and restrikes. The restrikes exist with various degrees of reverse die cracks and obverse wear and are believed to have been made in the early 1850s and continuing throughout the 1860s and 1870s. To our knowledge, there are no examples known struck from an uncracked reverse die." An altogether pleasing example of a&nbsp;reasonably plentiful early pattern variety that allows today's collectors access to the inner workings of the Mint in its relatively early days.<br />