1882 Pattern Shield Earring Half Dollar. Judd-1700, Pollock-1902. Rarity-7-. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-64 (NGC).Obv: George T. Morgans design with a head of Liberty facing right, the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM above, the date 1882 below, and 13 stars arranged around the border seven left, six right. Liberty wears shield-shaped earrings, and an encircling band on her head is inscribed LIBERTY. Rev: A defiant eagle with raised wings faces right and clutches an olive branch in its right talon and three arrows in its left talon. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above and the denomination HALF DOLLAR is below. This is a boldly struck pattern half dollar that is deeply toned in a blend of steel gray and sandy-copper patina. The design by Morgan is widely considered to be the most beautiful pattern motif originated in any series during the 1880s. Examples were issued in three-piece pattern Proof sets of the quarter, half dollar and silver dollar, in silver or copper. The website <em>uspatterns.com</em> accounts for only 11 survivors of the Judd-1700 half dollar in silver, three of which were previously owned by Colonel E.H.R. Green. A highlight of the extensive pattern offerings in this sale.From the Collection of Carril Valparaiso. Earlier from our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Morris Evans Collection, August 1998, lot 2098.
