1838 Proof Half Dollar Pattern - J-83a
Strike Type
Coin Details
Description
Judd-83a is the copper variant of the 1838 half dollar pattern J-83, combining the Liberty Seated obverse with raised letters (Obverse 2) with the regular reverse of 1838 (Reverse D). The obverse features Gobrecht's Seated Liberty with "LIBERTY" in raised letters on the shield, 13 stars flanking, and the date 1838. The reverse shows the perched eagle holding an olive branch and three arrows, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "HALF DOL." The suffix "a" denotes the copper composition, distinguishing it from the standard silver J-83. Copper strikings of pattern half dollars served as die trials, allowing the Mint to test die combinations without using precious silver. The coin is cataloged on PCGS CoinFacts as J-83a BN (brown), reflecting the typical color designation for copper coins. This is among the rarest 1838 half dollar patterns, and its copper composition makes it particularly desirable to specialists who collect die trials alongside the standard silver strikings.
Rarity Notes
R.7+. Extremely rare; only 2-4 examples exist in copper.
Cross References
Pollock-92
External References
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