1870 Pattern Half Dollar. Judd-937, Pollock-1044. Rarity-7+. Aluminum. Reeded Edge. Proof-65 Cameo (PCGS). CAC.strongObv:/strong William Barbers Liberty Seated design facing left, right hand supporting shield draped with ribbon inscribed LIBERTY, left hand holding a laurel branch with pole surmounted by a cap. Thirteen stars surround with date below. strongRev:/strong the regular dies of the half dollar of this year.pHandsome steel-gray as commonly seen on aluminum coinage with no signs of staining or corrosion that is sometimes seen on these delicate planchets. Fully mirrored fields with enough frost on the raised devices to earn the desirable Cameo designation from PCGS. The surfaces are pleasing and free of all but minute signs of handling, and such is a triumph over time as so few of these were originally struck to find a true Gem is something of a miracle for the advanced specialist.pPCGS has graded just three specimens of this issue: one as PR-64, the present example as Proof-65 Cameo, and an example as Proof-65 Deep Cameo which had recently upgraded from a grade of Proof-64 Deep Cameo. NGC has not certified any examples of this issue. Believed to be high Rarity-7 with 4 to 6 known at most. We first handled this jewel nearly 40 years ago as part of the Dr. Richard O. Ariagno Collection, Part II, in June 1980 and are pleased to be now offering it again for a new generation of collectors.From Bowers and Ruddys sale of the Dr. Richard P. Ariagno Collection, Part II, June 1980, lot 4898; Heritages FUN Signature Sale, January 2004, lot 8472. our (American Numismatic Rarities) Drew St. John Sale, June 2005, lot 415; our (Bowers and Merena) August 2010 Boston Rarities Sale, lot 1396; our (Bowers and Merena) March 2012 Baltimore Auction, lot 4199.