1856 Pattern Braided Hair Half Cent. Judd-177, Pollock-205. Rarity-5. Copper-Nickel. Plain Edge. Proof-65 (PCGS). CAC. Struck from the same dies as the regular issue 1856 Braided Hair half cent, Breen-2 pairing. Lovely satin to semi-reflective surfaces are bathed in original tannish-rose patina. All major design elements are fully struck, softness around the borders characteristic of the type. Expectably smooth for the assigned grade with strong visual appeal. Significant as one of only two pattern half cent varieties, Judd-177 is also desirable as an experimental issue that represents the Mints first use of copper-nickel alloy. Two compositions are known (88% copper and 12% nickel; 90% copper and 10% nickel), although the exact composition of the present example is not designated on the PCGS holder. Approximately 40 to 50 examples are known of both alloys, the <em>uspatterns.com</em> website noting that Virgil Brand once owned 11 specimens. We expect to see a great deal of attention when this exciting Gem crosses the auction block.
