Whitman Expo
1866 Transitional, No Motto, Silver Pattern Half Dollar PR CAM J-538 Values
Details
1866 Half Dollar. Not a pattern, but a mule created at a later date as a numismatic rarity. The 1866 “No Motto” Liberty Seated quarter dollar and half dollar are both considered unique. “Motto” refers to the scroll bearing the words IN GOD WE TRUST added to the backs of quarter and half dollars beginning in 1866. Thus, some experts consider the 1866 No Motto issues to be transitional patterns—missing links that bridge the old No Motto coins up to 1865 and new With Motto coins commencing in 1866. Without any other evidence, such a conclusion is perfectly logical and implies exceptional value and desirability. However, the 1866 No Motto quarter dollar and half dollar were probably not made in 1866, but years later! Their history is unknown, and they were not known to the collecting community until the 20th century.
Obverse: Regular Liberty Seated die of the year.
Reverse: Regular Liberty Seated die of the type before 1866, without motto.
Basic Information
GSID:
373832
Coin Date:
1866
Denomination:
P50c / Pattern 50 Cents
Designation:
PR
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
Unique
Coinage Type:
Pattern
Coinage Years:
1866
Composition:
Silver
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Transitional, No Motto, Silver
Variety 2:
J-538
Rarity:
R-unique
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.9
Weight:
13.6 gr
Strike Type:
Proof
Diameter:
30.6 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Lettering:
1866
Obverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF DOL.
Reverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
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