Owner Comments:
1859 50C French Head
Judd-237 Pollock-293
Rarity: R.4; PF 62
Struck in silver with a reeded edge
French Liberty Obverse Half Dollar with Half Dollar Reverse
Obverse: A bust of Liberty faces right with laurel and vine in her hair. A ribbon below the bust is inscribed LIBERTY, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around, and the date 1859 below.
Reverse: Displays the agricultural wreath of the Seated dime, resized to appropriate scale, around the denomination HALF DOLLAR. .
Comment:
This is a splendid, originally toned example of the James B. Longacre French Head design, with much more eye appeal than the grade might suggest. Silver centers cede to burnt orange and aqua on each side, but more prominently so on the obverse. A few field hairlines are visible on each side, even without a loupe, but are not overly distracting.
Provenance:
Heritage April 2012 Schaumburg / Lot #6260
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Set pf 1859 Longacer "French Head" Patterns