US Patterns- WHAT U.S. COINAGE COULD HAVE BEEN
J-246 Copper 50C - French Liberty Head (Eagle reverse)

Owner Comments:

1859 50C
Judd-246, Pollock-302
Rarity: Low R.7, PF63BN
RARE Perfect Ribbon

Struck in copper with reeded edge

Obverse: James Barton Longacre's "French Head of Liberty" design. A bust of Liberty faces right with a wreath of oak and vine leaves on her head, a ribbon or scroll inscribed LIBERTY crossing her right shoulder. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around the border and the date 1859 is below.

Reverse: An standing eagle with outstretched wings and a shield on its breast clutches an olive sprig in its right talon and three long, slender arrows in its left talon. The eagle holds a scroll inscribed with the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM in its beak, the scroll is broken as opposed to the perfect ribbon, and the eagle's left wing tip rounded as opposed to pointed. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around the border and the denomination HALF DOLLAR is below.

Comment:
Lovely evenly brown toned proof

Per US patterns Web Site ...Copper examples with the 'Perfect Ribbon' reverse J246/P302 evident with this piece . Pollock left the number P302 available but was unable to confirm its existence at the time he was writing his book.

Provenance/Appearances: Private sale D. Kagins 1982