1870 50C J-990, RB PR(PCGS#71236)

The March 2012 Baltimore Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

4200

等级

PR67

价格

83,323

详细说明

1870 Pattern Half Dollar. Judd-990, Pollock-1119. Rarity-8 Copper. Plain Edge. Proof-67 * RB (NGC). Obverse with Liberty Head facing right crowned with star on her forehead supported by ribbon inscribed LIBERTY, legends surround with motto below on raised ribbon. Reverse with open wreath of laurel and oak, with large 50 and smaller CENTS inside, surrounded by STANDARD SILVER with date below.<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The visual impact is rather intense for a pattern of this era, with faded mint hues of rose-red dominating blended with teal and blue peripheral accents on the obverse,&nbsp;the reverse a matching combination but with more teal of vibrant consistency. Incredibly free of spots or toning troubles that are so often encountered, hence the "*" designation from NGC for high eye appeal, richly deserved and hard won here, especially for such a large copper coin. Designed by William Barber, who had just ascended to Mint's Chief Engravership after the passing of James B. Longacre on January 1, 1869.<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; According to USPatterns.com this issue is&nbsp;Rarity-8 with three or fewer known. These were originally sold for $15 in 1870, a significant sum at the time and clearly not intended for your run of the mill numismatists assembling date collections of Large cents or other coins of interest. Hence the mintages were often tiny, and just a few were sold to memorialize these intriguing efforts of Barber to update our coinage.<br /> <br /> <strong>Numismatic Reflections by Q. David Bowers</strong><br /> The so-called Standard Silver patterns beginning in 1869 were made primarily in copper, aluminum, and silver with plain as well as reeded edges. The result was a vast production of numismatic delicacies for sale to numismatists through private channels. <br /> The theme of the Standard Silver coinage was sound enough. Silver coins disappeared from the channels of commerce in the spring of 1862, when Legal Tender paper currency was in