US Patterns- WHAT U.S. COINAGE COULD HAVE BEEN
J-1243 G5$ Struck in Copper

Owner Comments:

1872 Pattern Liberty Half Eagle.
Judd-1243, Pollock-1385
Rarity: High R.7 PR64BN CAC Endorsed

Stuck in Copper with Reeded Edge.

Obverse / Reverse: Regular dies for the 1872 Liberty half eagle but struck in copper

Comment:
Dominant reddish-brown obverse toning yields to somewhat dusky, sandy brown toning on the reverse. Both sides are equally smooth as far as freedom from contact marks is concerned, although a trace of extremely light, very faint surface build up in the protected areas around and among the devices.
The strike is as sharp and complete as one should expect given the care with which off-metal impressions such as this were produced in the Philadelphia Mint of the late 19th century.

The uspatterns.com website tells us: "Although these are described as regular die trial pieces in the standard references, it is more likely that the off-metal 'trials' of this year were deliberately struck for sale to collectors. Examples were struck in copper and aluminum (J1244) with only three or four of each believed to exist." An attractive and original pattern sure to appeal to Liberty half eagle specialists.

This Judd is a extremely rare piece an since 1972 only 3 unique pieces have cross the auctions as far as I can tell.

Provenance/Appearances:
Stack's & Bowers, Mar. 2019 Baltimore Auction /Lot 1210 Prior from:
- Samuel J. Berngard Collection, Stacks Bowers March 2012 Baltimore (Rarity Night) / Lot #4214 (passed) ; ; -
- Cat Daddy Collection, Stacks Nov 2007 Sale (The Amherst & Waccabuc Collections) / Lot#1161 ($11500)