Owner Comments:
1871 50C Standard Silver Half Dollar
Judd-1106, Pollock-1242
Rarity: Low R.7, PR63+ BN
Ex: Simpson.
Struck in copper with a reeded edge.
Obverse: Liberty is seated facing left. She holds a liberty pole with one hand while her other hand rests on a globe. Two flags are behind and one flag is visible with 13 small stars .
Reverse: On the reverse, the denomination 50 CENTS is situated within a wreath of cotton and corn with STANDARD above.
Comment:
This is a sharply struck Select proof that exhibits iridescent powder-blue, rose-red, and wheat-gold toning. The obverse displays several small brown freckles. One might say that some of these flecks have increased since the 1970 early black and white photos but it know that many of those photos did not have the resolution of today's images
The Indian Princess design attributed to James B. Longacre, despite his New Year's Day death two years before.
In the Bowers and Merena Landmark Auction catalog of March 1989 (Lot #39) they noted they have been able to trace the following examples prior to 1988 as :
"1) This specimen. From David Proskey to the New Netherlands Coin Company auction of September 1953, Lot 547. Most recently in Stack's sale of the Bergin Collection, June 1984, Lot 1236.
2) The Anderson-Dupont specimen offered in our sale of the Scott Collection, June 1975, Lot 1258.
3) The example in our 1972 sale of the Armand Champa Collection. Subsequently offered in our sale of the Sieck Collection, July 1981, Lot 214.
4) The piece in Pine Tree's sale of January 1976, Lot 420.
5) The Crouch Specimen appearing in Superior's June 1977 sale. Lot 499, and subsequently in the same firm's section of Auction '88, Lot 176" The latter being this piece
Provenance:
Bob Simpson Part 2 , Heritage Nov 2020 Signature Auction / Lot #3205, Prior
- Dr. Walter Lee Crouch Collection , Superior June 1977 Lot 499 ($775);
- R.L. Huges, Jan 1980 /Lot 49; Jul 1988;
- Superior Auction ‘88 Lot 176 ($2420);
- Mid-American Rare Coin Jan 1989 FUN Lot 621