1838 Pattern Half Dollar. Judd-73 Restrike, Pollock-77. Rarity-5. Silver. Reeded Edge. Proof-65 (PCGS). CAC.

Medallic alignment. Obv: A bust of Liberty faces left with a sunburst on her tiara, raised LIBERTY on her hair ribbon and brooch at shoulder. Thirteen stars are arranged around the border, seven left and six right, with the date 1838 below. Rev: An eagle flies left in an open field, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border and the denomination HALF DOLLAR around. This is a lovely Gem Proof, both sides attractively toned and carefully preserved. Sharply struck in most areas, softness at the central high points on both sides is not uncommon for an example of this Judd number. Of this enigmatic type the uspatterns.com website states: These supposedly exist as both originals and restrikes. True originals should weigh 206 grains and should only have die cracks through 'F Dollar * America' as seen on the Liberty seated patterns of this year J79/P89 and J79A/P86. To date, none have been seen in this die state showing that these were produced later. The fact that the Mint collection does not contain an example may also be significant as this pattern would have been produced at the initial formation of the collection and likely would have been included if it was actually struck in 1838....Restrikes exist with additional reverse die cracks, rust and obverse wear and are believed to have been made from the late 1840s continuing throughout the 1860s and 1870s. Three prominent cracks radiate out from the central reverse on the present example, confirming it as a restrike.

PCGS# 11288. NGC ID: 296N.