1879 Pattern Washlady Half Dollar. Judd-1598, Pollock-1792. Rarity-6+.

Celebrated Pattern Washlady Half Dollar by Charles Barber Judd-1598 in Copper 1879 Pattern Washlady Half Dollar. Judd-1598, Pollock-1792. Rarity-6+. Copper. Reeded Edge. Proof-67 BN (NGC). Obv: Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber's Washlady or Society Lady motif with a left facing head of Liberty. Liberty is wearing a headband inscribed LIBERTY and ornamented with ears of wheat, cotton leaves and bolls. Thirteen stars are arranged around the border seven left, six right with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST above and the date 1879 below. Rev: An eagle with outstretched wings clutches an olive branch in its right talon and three long arrows in its left talon. The Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is inscribed in the field directly above the eagle, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above the motto, and the denomination HALF DOLLAR is inscribed along the lower border. A wonderfully original Superb Gem, both sides exhibit vivid cobalt blue and antique gold undertones to rich copper-rose patina. Direct lighting also calls forth modest semi-reflective tendencies from the fields - very attractive. Sharply struck throughout with expectably smooth and attractive surfaces for the assigned grade. The Washlady design is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful ever produced by the United States Mint and is one of the most eagerly sought patterns in today's market. At the time of their creation, however, the Washlady pieces were not held in as high esteem by contemporary collectors. The style of Liberty's hair, in particular, was widely criticized in that it gave the portrait a somewhat disheveled appearance. David Proskey is credited with the Washlady name as an expression of contemporary ridicule for this design, its first known use coming as part of New York Stamp and Coin's April 1891 sale of the F.W. Doughty Collection. The modern term "Society Lady" is a more elegant description for this motif, but examples of this type continue to be most widely known by their traditional name. The Washlady motif appears on pattern dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars of 1879, generally in either silver or copper, although unique white metal impressions are also known for the three largest denominations. Copper strikings of the Washlady half dollar, as here, are rare with just 12 to 15 examples known per the uspatterns.com website. Provenance: From the Mack C. Chase Collection. Earlier from Heritage's sale of the Harold Hoogasian Collection, January 2003 FUN Signature Sale, lot 9942. NGC Census: 1 in all grades in the BN category. The higher of two coins graded in the PCGS Brown category is at Proof-66 BN. PCGS# 61976. NGC ID: 2AGN. Click here for certification details from NGC.

Estimate:£0.74

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