426, Lot: 625. Estimate $2500. Sold for $2400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PATTERNS. Proof Pattern CU Half Dollar (28mm, 5h). “Standard” series. Dies by William Barber. Dated 1870. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, head of Liberty right, wearing cap with stars on brow, in hair, ribbon inscribed LIBERTY; below, ribbon inscribed IN GOD WE TRUST / 50/ CENTS/ 1870 within wreath of corn, wheat, and cotton; STANDARD above. Judd 941; Pollock 1054. This coin illustrated on PCGS Coinfacts (see: http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/61187/64). In PCGS encapsulation, 06645480, graded PR 64 RB. Very rare.

Ex Denali Collection.

The “Standard” series of pattern coins were designed for a proposal to redeem the Civil War-era fractional paper money for lighter weight coinage, with the lighter weight intended to dissuade hoarding. Denominations of 10, 25, and 50 cents were devised. None were issued for circulation.