1864 Pattern Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Judd-392, Pollock-460. Rarity-7-. Copper. Reeded Edge. Proof-66 RB (NGC). OH. CAC.Fiery shades of tangerine and peach patina adorn the central elements on each side, complemented by deeper indigo and crimson coloration in the fields. The fields are incredibly reflective, offering strong contrast against the richly frosted devices. Sharply struck and free of consequential abrasions of any size.Judd-392 is one of the so-called transitional half dollar patterns of 1863 to 1865, all of which are actually restrikes circa 1869 into the early 1870s that the Mint prepared expressly for sale to contemporary collectors as part of pattern Proof sets. The obverse of this rare Pattern features the same design that the Mint used to produce regular issue 1864 half dollars. The reverse is similar to the regular issue for 1864, but with the addition of a scroll inscribed with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST in the field above the eagle. This reverse design was adopted for circulating half dollar production in 1866. Copper impressions dated 1864, as here, have an extant population of only a dozen or so examples and this is one of the finest known. It is; tied at the top of the NGC Census with two others, and just a single Proof-66 RB has been graded by PCGS.PCGS# 70563. NGC ID: 29HE.NGC Census: 3; none finer in any category.
