1877 Half Dollar

HBCC#:

6132

Breen#:

n/a

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

1502

Pollock#:

1655

Pattern half dollars of 1877 were a specialty of Harry Bass, and he acquired 32 examples, although only four are showcased in this exhibit. His was the largest collection of 1877 pattern half dollars assembled in recent times, and perhaps the largest ever. This design is known in silver and copper, with two silver examples and about six survivors in copper. This specimen is from the Armand Champa Collection and earlier from the Gaston DiBello Collection.

Provenance:

From Stack's sale of the DiBello Collection, May 1970, Lot 643; Armand Champa, August 10, 1971.

Obverse:

Tall head of Liberty to left, LIBERTY on coronet in her hair, hair in bun behind head, two ribbon ends hang from bun, IN GOD WE TRUST above Liberty's portrait, seven stars before, six stars behind, date below.

Reverse:

Fanciful Heraldic Eagle at center, wings spread and upraised, arrows in left talon, olive branch in right, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HALF DOLLAR around, E PLURIBUS UNUM in small letters between the eagle's wing tips.

Commentary:

"Traded In, From Champa, 8/10/71, for I-14184, J-1526 (Stack / DiBello Lot #391. Even Trade."