1877 50C J-1517, RB PR(PCGS#71855)

The June 2010 Baltimore Auction

拍卖行

Bowers & Merena

批号

3416

等级

PR66

价格

137,435

详细说明

1877 Pattern Morgan Half Dollar. Judd-1517, Pollock-1681. Rarity-7-. Proof-66 RB (NGC). The obverse exhibits George T. Morgan's left-facing Liberty head that the Mint would later use in the regular issue Morgan Silver Dollar series of 1878-1921. The portrait is set within a beaded circle outside of which are the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM (above) and the date 1877 (below). Also arranged at the border are 13 stars, six left and seven right. The reverse design features a spread-wing eagle perched atop a scroll inscribed with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Behind the scroll are an olive branch and three arrows, two of the arrows with a thunderbolt shape. The central design is bordered by a beaded circle outside of which is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (above) and the denomination HALF DOLLAR (below). Struck in copper with a reeded edge.<br />     A profound-looking and extremely attractive specimen, both sides exhibit dominant pinkish-copper color in a bright, iridescent sheen. Warmer midnight-blue and steel-lavender colors are also intermingled over the obverse. Surfaces are silky smooth in sheen and virtually pristine, and the devices are fully impressed over even the most intricate elements of the design.<br />     This is an important pattern type that represents one of the earliest uses of the Liberty portrait that would eventually gain widespread recognition though the regular issue Morgan Silver Dollar series. The website <a href="http://www.uspatterns.com">www.uspatterns.com</a> pedigrees eight specimens and, try as he might, this cataloger has been unable to positively link the present example to one of those coins.