Owner Comments:
1859 50C
Judd-247, Pollock-286
Rarity: High R.7 (3-7 Pieces), PF63
Struck in Silver with Reeded Edge.
Obverse: Anthony C. Paquet's seated Liberty motif. Liberty is seated left, her outstretched right hand supporting a fasces and her left hand supporting a shield. An olive sprig and three arrows are present at the base of the shield. Thirteen stars encircle the periphery and the date 1859 is below. The digits 185 in the date are repunched.
Reverse: A wreath of cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, corn, wheat and oak leaves encloses the denomination HALF DOLLAR.
Comment:
Lightly toned in pale silver and iridescent gold, this is a universally reflective specimen with a sharp strike to virtually all design elements. Judd-247 was struck during the 1860s or 1870s from rusted dies, evidence of which is most pronounced on the present example throughout the wreath and at the upper border on the reverse.
Similar to other 1859 Seated Paquet 50C (J-247 - 251) the date numbers 1, 8, & 5 are re-punch a bit lower and 5% rotation.
click on image to see details
Provenance/Apperances:
From the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. Stack August 2019 ANA / Lot #3019, Earlier from Bowers and Merena's - Ebenezer Milton Saunders Collection sale, November 1987 / Lot #458. ($825)
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Set of Paquet's Seated Liberty 50C Patterns of 1859