1839 Half Dollar

HBCC#:

6012

Breen#:

n/a

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

93

Pollock#:

105

This pattern features the “backwards Liberty” obverse design with the familiar “Small Letters” reverse, which was actually placed in service for the Liberty Seated half dollars first coined in 1839. Just five or six examples are known, including one in the Smithsonian Institution. Nearly all known examples were struck at the 206 grain standard in place in the late 1830s, suggesting that these were actually minted in 1839. Many other half dollar pattern issues dated 1838 and 1839 were struck at the 192 grain standard that was not authorized until 1853. Those at the lower weight must have been produced after 1853.

Provenance:

William H. Woodin; Colonel Green; J.M. Wade; Stack's ANA Sale, August 1971, Lot 443.

Obverse:

Stylized head of Liberty to right, hair in bun, long curl on neck, 13 stars around, date below bust. The coronet in her hair is inscribed LIBERTY.

Reverse:

Eagle with spread wings, olive branch and arrows in talons, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arcs above, HALF DOL. curves below eagle.

Commentary: