Interesting and historic gold coin pattern (Judd-272)
RYK
Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭
This is the picture and description from a recent Stack's sale:
1860 $5.00. Judd 272 (Low R-6). Copper, RE. Choice Brilliant Proof. 27mm, 2.47mm thick. 9.62 grams, 148.4 grains. This obverse bears an elegant Liberty head l. in Phrygian cap with three large stars forming a headband, a tiny date below. The reverse presents a very small eagle with spread wings, E PLURIBUS UNUM on a tiny scroll held in the beak. Lettering is unusually small and closely spaced on this highly distinctive design created by James B. Longacre. The unusually broad planchet was intended to keep the statutory weight of the Gold Half Eagle while making the planchet thin enough to discourage the practice of slicing coins in half, scooping out the gold to replace it with at the time less valuable Platinum. Dr. J.T. Barclay sought to foil this falsification through development of thinner planchets and was permitted to use Mint facilities in his pursuit of his concept. After all this effort, however, regular Gold coinage continued unchanged.
The half eagle pattern is the same diameter as the eagle of the period (27 mm).
1860 $5.00. Judd 272 (Low R-6). Copper, RE. Choice Brilliant Proof. 27mm, 2.47mm thick. 9.62 grams, 148.4 grains. This obverse bears an elegant Liberty head l. in Phrygian cap with three large stars forming a headband, a tiny date below. The reverse presents a very small eagle with spread wings, E PLURIBUS UNUM on a tiny scroll held in the beak. Lettering is unusually small and closely spaced on this highly distinctive design created by James B. Longacre. The unusually broad planchet was intended to keep the statutory weight of the Gold Half Eagle while making the planchet thin enough to discourage the practice of slicing coins in half, scooping out the gold to replace it with at the time less valuable Platinum. Dr. J.T. Barclay sought to foil this falsification through development of thinner planchets and was permitted to use Mint facilities in his pursuit of his concept. After all this effort, however, regular Gold coinage continued unchanged.
The half eagle pattern is the same diameter as the eagle of the period (27 mm).
0
Comments
42/92
<< <i>If you prefer Heritage photographs...
This is a fabulous photograph of an outstanding coin.
Would you briefly share your photography tips to achieve such a photograph?
AlaBill
Bill, my best advice is to get someone who knows what they are doing to photograph the coin for you. This is not my coin, nor my picture.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
I noticed the "FIAE" too.
LOOK FOR THE PLAYBOY BUNNY ON THE OBVERSE. JUST LIKE THE MAGAZINE COVERS!!!
Mark
Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns
<
<< <i>Can you imagine what this hobby would be like with the internet auctions if they all had photography like this? >>
EBay?
42/92