1877 Pattern Morgan Half Dollar. Judd-1512, Pollock-1676. Rarity-7+. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-65 (NGC).，Offered is an American numismatic landmark -- a Gem example in silver of one of the most beautiful pattern designs by George T. Morgan. Years may pass before an equivalent coin becomes available. <p><strong>Obv:</strong> Features the familiar head of Liberty facing left that was adopted on the silver dollar the following year. A beaded circle surrounds the portrait with the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM above, the date 1877 below, and 13 stars arranged six left, seven right. <strong>Rev:</strong> Morgans famed "defiant eagle" standing left, with wings raised and poised for action. The base includes the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, with a long curved branch of laurel to the left and a trio of arrows to the right, the lowermost of which has a decided jog in its shaft that would make it of questionable use for its intended purpose. A beaded circle similar to that seen on the obverse encircles the central design with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border and the denomination HALF DOLLAR below. <p>This is a beautiful Gem, richly and originally toned with vivid iridescent highlights. A bold to full strike and solid technical quality enhance the outstanding visual appeal.<p>Of the 1877 pattern half dollars, of which there are myriad types, this particular combination is a favorite among advanced pattern collectors and Morgan dollar enthusiasts. The obverse portrait is of obvious interest to the latter, while the "defiant eagle" on the reverse seems also to have made a lasting impression on engraver Morgan. In 1879 he used it on his famous "Schoolgirl" pattern dollar and then, in 1915, it had another iteration on the reverse of the 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition commemorative quarter eagle. As the United States Mint is tapping historic designs for some new coin varieties, perhaps the Mint and the CCAC should take a peek at the United States Patterns book by J. Hewitt Judd (edited in modern times by Q. David Bowers), for some inspiration! According to R.W. Julian, this is the first of the four Morgan dies of 1877, and it was produced in February of that year. These were made at the request of Dr. Henry Linderman, director of the Mint, who sought to upgrade the quality of coin designs. A year later Congress passed the Bland-Allison Act on February 28, 1878, causing a hurry-up call for a new silver dollar design. Linderman tapped Morgans half dollars of 1877 for the new design. <p>Only six specimens of Judd-1512 are confirmed to exist (per the website uspatterns.com), and this expertly preserved Gem is among the finest.，PCGS# 61850.，NGC Census: 1; 0 finer in this category.，Ex George W. Cogan, March 17, 1883; T. Harrison Garrett to Robert and John Work Garrett, by descent, 1888; Robert Garrett interest to John Work Garrett, 1919; transfer completed 1921; John Work Garrett to the Johns Hopkins University, by gift, 1942; our (Bowers and Ruddys) sale of the Garrett Collection for the Johns Hopkins University, Part I, November 1979, lot 383; our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Morris Evans Collection, August 1998, lot 2077; Kagins; our (Teletrades) sale of April 10, 1999; R. Kay; our (American Numismatic Rarities) Classics Sale of September 2003, lot 25; our (American Numismatic Rarities) Robert Michael Prescott Collection sale, January 2006, lot 914; Virginia collection; Heritages FUN Signature Auction of January 2017, lot 6167. The plate coin for the type in the 10th edition of the Judd pattern reference.
