Owner Comments:
1885 50C Half Dollar
Judd-1746, Pollock-1958,
Rarity: R.8, PR64+ Cameo
Ex: Simpson.
Two Known, One in Private Hands (Mine)
Plate coin for Judd reference book and the USPattern.com web site
Struck in aluminum with a reeded edge
Obverse/Reverse: The regular dies for the 1885 Seated half dollar.
Comment:
Only two Judd-1746 pieces are known, one of which is permanently impounded in the Smithsonian Institution. This is the only example in private hands, and it can be traced all the way back to Thomas Elder's 1908 sale of the Peter Gschwend Collection, where it was plated. The image from the 1908 Plate clearly matches this piece. A few grayish-gold spots are speckled across otherwise brilliant surfaces. Contrast between the fields and devices is pronounced. The Judd plate coin.
This was the last year of a 15-year practice of the mint to strike off metal ( Copper and Aluminum) pieces using the regular dies of the year. It is widely believed these were struck for the fancy of special collectors with connections to the mint and not for any test or trial purpose.
Provenance/Appearances:
From Heritage Aug 2022 / Lot #5291 Priors:
-
Ex: Peter Gschwend (Thomas Elder, 6/1908), lot Z in the second addendum; ;
- Virgil Brand (Journal #44170); Armin Brand; & other unknown intermediaries,
- Harry X Boosel Collection (RARCOA, 4/1972), lot 1190;
- FUN Sale (RARCOA, 1/1973), lot 688;
- Public Auction Sale (Stack's, 1/1987) lot 535;
- Superior Galleries, 10/1990 / Lot #1887;
- Robert W. Miller, Sr. Collection (Bowers and Merena, 11/1992), lot 1085;
- Rarities Sale (Bowers and Merena, 1/1997), lot 466;
- William H. LaBelle, Sr. Collection (American Numismatic Rarities, 7/2005), lot 68;
- Important Selections from The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part III / FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2021), lot 3273;
- Dallas Signature (Heritage, 6/2021), lot 3256.