1870 50C J-929, RB PR(PCGS#71174)

August 2019 ANA U.S. Coins Auction Rosemont, IL

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3380

Grade

PR61RB

Price

1,800

Lot Description

1870 Pattern Half Dollar. Judd-929/929A, Pollock-1034/1048. Rarity-7+. Copper. Reeded Edge. Proof-61 RB (PCGS). Obv:William Barber's seated Liberty facing left, an olive branch in her left hand, her right hand supporting a federal shield with a ribbon inscribed LIBERTY crossing the shield. LIBERTY is expressed in raised letters, as always seen on examples of this type despite the Judd-929 and Judd-929a distinctions suggesting that a variant with incuse letters was produced. A liberty pole with cap is behind the portrait, 13 stars encircle the periphery, and the date 1870 is below. Rev:A wreath of corn and cotton encircles the denomination 50 CENTS, the word STANDARD inscribed along the upper border. The website uspatterns.comaccounts for fewer than a dozen examples of this variety in numismatic hands. The present specimen is sharply defined with flashes of cobalt blue iridescence to otherwise autumn-orange surfaces. Moderate hairlining and somewhat bright surfaces point to a cleaning that explains the Proof-61 numeric grade from PCGS. Provenance: From the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. Earlier from Superior's Piedmont Sale, January 1996, lot 1234. Collector tag with attribution and provenance notes included. PCGS Population: 1; 4 finer in this category (Proof-65 RB finest). PCGS# 71174. NGC ID: 29Y2. Click here for certification details from PCGS.