The August 2010 Boston Rarities Sale
Pre-Bidding Ends:
8/7/2010 2:00:00 PM
Live Floor and Internet Bidding Begins:
8/7/2010 3:00:00 PM
Lot #1385.
1860 Pattern Half Eagle. Judd-271, Pollock-319. Rarity-8. Proof-62 Cameo (PCGS).
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Exceedingly Rare 1860 Judd-271 Pattern Half Eagle
One of Just Two Examples Known to Exist
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The obverse design is attributed to Chief Engraver James Barton Longacre, and it features a right-facing bust of Liberty as the central design element. Liberty is wearing a soft cap ornamented with three stars and a ribbon inscribed LIBERTY crosses her right shoulder. Thirteen stars encircle the periphery and the date 1860 is below. The reverse, which Tom DeLorey tentatively attributes to Assistant Engraver Anthony C. Paquet, exhibits a spread-wing eagle clutching an olive branch and bundle of arrows in its talons. In its beak is a ribbon inscribed with the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above and the denomination FIVE DOLLARS is below. The letter "V" in FIVE is actually an upside down A. Struck in gold with a reeded edge.
This pattern was produced using anti-fraud techniques, the thinner, yet larger diameter of the planchet intended to discourage slicing the coin in two, scraping out some of the gold and replacing it with cheaper metal. Only two specimens are known, the present example in PCGS Proof-62 Cameo and the Simpson Collection specimen that has been certified as Proof-64 Ultra Cameo by NGC. Both sides of the example we are offering here exhibit handsome orange-gold color and pinpoint striking detail. Scattered hairlines account for the grade. An extremely important offering for the specialist.
Combined PCGS and NGC Population: just 1; 1 finer.
PCGS# 812076.
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