1838 P50C Half Dollar, Judd-72, Pollock-75, R.5, PR66 Cameo PCGS. CAC....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Jan 7, 2015 for:

$12,925.00 Bid Source: Internet bidder

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

1838 Half Dollar Pattern, Judd-72, PR66 Cameo
Tied for Finest at PCGS

1838 P50C Half Dollar, Judd-72, Pollock-75, R.5, PR66 Cameo PCGS. CAC. The design shows a large profile bust of Liberty facing left, wearing what may be loosely termed a diadem, although rather than a coronet of jewels, the central ornament appears to be a rising sun with rays. Thirteen stars surround her, seven left and six right, with the date 1838 below. Her lush hair curls also sport a ribbon inscribed LIBERTY. The reverse Standing Eagle motif, showing a stocky body, thick, spread wings, and head facing right, comes from a drawing by Christian Gobrecht, depicted as number 38 in the article "From the Drawingboard of a Coin Engraver" by Elvira Clain-Stefanelli, reprinted in the ANA Centennial Anthology as well as in Gobrecht Dollars Illustrated by the Collection of Julius Korein, M.D., by Heritage chief cataloger Mark Van Winkle along with Michael Carboneau, Jim Gray, John Dannreuther, and Saul Teichman. Struck in silver with a reeded edge.

The 1838 Judd-72 half dollar patterns are among the earliest Mint patterns that are somewhat obtainable, since the coins were struck as originals and as restrikes, according to USPatterns.com beginning around 1858 and continuing through the 1860s and 1870s. This Premium Gem proof is tied with three other submissions for the finest at PCGS, a great-looking and immaculate coin with original, unperturbed surfaces. Sunset-orange patina with hints of pale blue enhances each side, more prominently near the rims. A squiggly lint mark appears at the rear corner of Liberty's eye, and a small patch of planchet roughness in the reverse field, below the claw and right of the branch tip, is as made at the Mint. A top-quality early pattern. Population: 4 in 66, 0 finer (10/14).
From The A. James Evans Collection, Part II.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 296M, PCGS# 390800, Greysheet# 373484)

View all of [The A. James Evans Collection, Part II ]

View Certification Details from PCGS