1878 $5 J-1576, RB PR(PCGS#71940)

1878 $5 J-1576, RB PR (PCGS#71940)

The August 2010 Boston Rarities Sale

详细说明: 1878 Pattern Half Eagle. Judd-1576, Pollock-1769. Rarity-7-. Proof-64 RB (PCGS). A head of Liberty faces left on the obverse wearing a soft cap inscribed LIBERTY and ornamented with two ears of wheat. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST is above, the date 1878 is below and 13 stars are arranged at the border seven left, six right. On the reverse, an eagle with upraised wings clutches an olive branch in its left (facing) talon and a bundle of three arrows in its right (facing) talon. In the field immediately above the eagle is the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, while the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above that and the denomination FIVE DOLLARS is below the eagle. Struck in copper with a reeded edge.<br />     A delightful design attributed to Chief Engraver William Barber, this Capped Liberty motif in Half Eagle format is known in gold (extremely rare with just two specimens of Judd-1575 traced), copper (Judd-1576, perhaps a dozen examples known) and gilt copper (also Judd-1576, and included in the population estimate for the copper impressions). This handsome near-Gem is awash in blended crimson-orange, copper-gray and medium-rose colors with the obverse perhaps a but more vivid than the reverse. Fully struck throughout with only a bit of trivial carbon precluding a full Gem rating. A type that we rarely offer, and a coin that represents a fleeting buying opportunity for the advanced pattern collector.