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1877 50C Half Dollar, Judd-1538, Pollock-1706, High R. 1877[50C] Half Dollar, Judd-1538, Pollock-170

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1877 50C Half Dollar, Judd-1538, Pollock-1706, High R. 1877[50C] Half Dollar, Judd-1538, Pollock-170
<B>1877<50C> Half Dollar, Judd-1538, Pollock-1706, High R.7, PR64 Brown PCGS.</B></I> Heritage has never before offered an example of this extremely rare pattern. Since the existence of Judd-1537 is only speculated, Judd-1538 is the sole variety for these dies. The obverse depicts a bust of Liberty facing left, with pursed lips and wearing a Phrygian cap. The reverse has a defiant eagle standing with wings unfurled, clutching three arrows and an olive branch. The eagle is standing on what appears to be a bundle of wheat. Struck in copper with a reeded edge. It was speculated in the past that the Liberty design was originally intended by Charles Barber to compete with the eventually adopted Morgan dollar. Recent research by R.W. Julian suggests that his father, William Barber, was the designer. Chocolate-brown toning occasionally cedes to slightly darker mahogany. A concealed mark on the right (facing) wing, otherwise pleasing throughout. uspatterns.com lists just four known specimens of Judd-1538.<BR><I>Ex: Farouk (Sotheby's, 2/54); Bolender (10/55) ?; Major Lenox Lohr (Stack's, 10/56); R.E. Cox Collection (Stack's, 4/62), lot 2274; Coronet Coin FPL; Champa (Bowers and Ruddy, 5/72); Rudy Sieck/ANA (Bowers and Merena, 7/81), lot 244; Fred and Ward Collections (Bowers and Merena, 11/95), at $6160; Pre-Long Beach Sale (Superior, 2/05), not sold as PCGS PR62Red and Brown, cleaned, lacquered now rehabilitated; ANR (1/06), not sold.</B></I>