1872 Pattern Amazonian Half Dollar. Judd-1200, Pollock-1340. Rarity-7-. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-64+ Cameo (PCGS). CAC.Obv: William Barbers famed Amazonian design. Seated figure of Liberty left with standing eagle, her right hand upon its head, her left hand and arm supporting a sword and shield. Thirteen stars are arranged around the border seven left, six right, and the date 1872 is below. Rev: An eagle with spread wings clutches three arrows in its right talon and supports a shield with its left talon. An olive branch is in front of the shield, and a scroll inscribed with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST is draped across the shield. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircles the periphery and the denomination HALF DOL. is below. This gorgeous near-Gem is fully struck with bold contrast between frosty design elements and mirrored fields. Untoned apart from a few wisps of iridescent peripheral toning, the surfaces are free of significant post-production blemishes. Faint lint marks in the obverse field at the shield and in the reverse field below the right ribbon end are as made.The uspatterns.com website notes:William Barbers Amazonian design [is] considered to be one of the most beautiful ever made by the US Mint. This design was issued in sets of the quarter dollar, half dollar and silver dollar in silver, copper....and aluminum.The Amazonian name dates to the 1890 New York Coin and Stamp auction of the Lorin G. Parmelee collection and was probably given by David Proskey.Only 10 specimens in silver are positively confirmed to exist, although the actual total may be as high as 15 pieces. Judd-1200 is rare in either case, of course, the beauty and popularity of the Amazonian design resulting in extremely strong demand among pattern enthusiasts. The lovely Garrett-E. Horatio Morgan specimen offered here is a highlight of this sale and is sure to have no difficulty finding its way into another significant cabinet.From the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. Earlier ex Eduoard Frossard, May 1882; 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 379; our (Bowers and Merenas) Bebee Collection sale, August 1987 ANA Convention Sale, lot 1502. The plate coin for the design type in the Pollock reference on pattern and related coinage. Bowers and Merena lot tag and collector tag with attribution notation included.
