1879 50C Morgan Half Dollar, Judd-1599, Pollock-1794, High R.6, PR67 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC....

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1879 Morgan Half Dollar in Silver
Judd-1599, PR67 Deep Cameo
Among the Finest and Rarely Seen

1879 50C Morgan Half Dollar, Judd-1599, Pollock-1794, High R.6, PR67 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC. Ex: Simpson. The obverse is dominated by a portrait of Liberty nearly identical to that on the Morgan dollar, but appropriately reduced in size for the half dollar denomination. The peripheral inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM and the accompanied stars differ in placement from the Morgan dollar. The reverse features an eagle with partially spread wings, holding an olive branch in the right talon and a trio of arrows in its left claws. IN GOD WE TRUST is widely spaced below, along with the denomination and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Struck in silver with a reeded edge.

Although the year 1879 is better known for its Washlady patterns and four dollar stellas (Flowing Hair and Coiled Hair), the production of Morgan half dollar patterns resumed after a hiatus in 1878. Morgan half dollar pattern output was prolific in 1877, but only two variants were manufactured in 1879. Examples of both designs, which shared a common reverse but had different arrangements of the peripheral obverse stars and legend, were struck in silver and copper. Judd-1599, as here, is believed to survive to the extent of 12 to 15 pieces, according to USPatterns.com. The same goes for Judd-1600 -- this design, but in copper.

This is one of four PR67 Deep Cameo examples of Judd-1599 certified at PCGS. One boasts an added Plus designation, and at least three of the four coins are different examples, per the images on PCGS CoinFacts (1/22). Curiously, we can find no auction appearance going back 30 years for an example in any Deep Cameo grade. Additionally, the last example of a Judd-1599 pattern we handled was sold as part of our September 2014 Long Beach Signature sale (PR64 PCGS). All to say that opportunities to obtain a high-end example are as rare, or even rarer, than the coins themselves. This Superb Gem features captivating white-on-black contrast. Pale rose-violet patina appears around the obverse borders and gently covers much of the reverse with additional accents of ocean blue on that side. Softly struck at the centers, as always, but otherwise flawless.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 134094, Base PCGS# 61977, Greysheet# 373241)

View all of [Important Selections From The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part VIII ]

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