1872 Pattern Amazonian Half Dollar. Judd-1201, Pollock-1341. Rarity-7-. Copper. Reeded Edge. Proof-67+ BN (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 is an absolutely stunning specimen with subtle iridescent highlights to otherwise golden-brown surfaces. Fully struck with a silky smooth appearance that borders on pristine.Barbers design for the Amazonian half dollar differs slightly from that of the quarter and dollar. Due to criticism of the original design, which was considered too militaristic with its sword, shield and lack of an olive branch and the word LIBERTY, the engraver added an olive branch to the reverse design, placing it in front of the shield. It is likely, therefore, that the dies for the half dollar were created after those of the quarter and dollar.Judd-1201 is the copper striking of the beautiful and popular Amazonian half dollar, the present specimen an outstanding counterpart to the Judd-1200 example in silver offered above. Both are equally rare, the extant population of Judd-1201 on the order of just 10 to 12 coins.From the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. Earlier from our (Bowers and Merenas) Lloyd M. Higgins, M.D. Collection sale, January 1988, lot 702. Collector tag with attribution notation included.
