1877 50C J-1517, RB PR(PCGS#71855)

1877 50C J-1517, RB PR (PCGS#71855)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: Obv: George T. Morgan's left-facing Liberty head that the Mint would later use for the regular issue Morgan silver dollar series of 1878 to 1921. The portrait is set within a beaded circle, outside of which are the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM (above) and the date 1877 (below). Also arranged at the border are 13 stars, six left and seven right. Rev: A spread-wing eagle is perched atop a scroll inscribed with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Behind the scroll are an olive branch and three arrows, two of the arrows with a thunderbolt shape. The central design is bordered by a beaded circle outside of which is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (above) and the denomination HALF DOLLAR (below). An attractive blend of red mint color fades to warm copper-brown patina with lilac and teal highlights. A tiny spot on the reverse joins the upper edge of the eagle's left wing and serves as a useful provenance marker.Judd-1517 is one of the famous pattern Morgan half dollars of 1877, examples of which were also struck in silver (Judd-1516). According to the uspatterns.com website, at least nine copper impressions from these dies are known. Market appearances for these are usually few and far between and, indeed, this is the only example of this Judd number that we have handled since 2010. The present offering is a fleeting one that deserves the utmost in attention from advanced pattern enthusiasts.