1859 Pattern Half Dollar. Judd-238, Pollock-294. Rarity-5. Copper. Reeded Edge. Proof-64 BN (PCGS).Obv: James Barton Longacres French Head of Liberty design. A bust of Liberty faces right with a wreath of oak and vine leaves on her head, a ribbon or scroll inscribed LIBERTY crossing her right shoulder. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around the border and the date 1859 is below. Rev: A wreath of cereals encloses the denomination HALF DOLLAR. This richly original example exhibits handsome antique copper toning on the obverse, bolder steel-olive patina on the reverse. Fully struck with a smooth, satiny appearance in hand, direct lighting calls forth modest semi-reflective qualities from the fields. Judd-238 in copper is scarcer than its silver counterpart (Judd-237), although with more than 30 specimens believed extant (per the uspatterns.com website), this type is also relatively obtainable by pattern standards.
