1879 Half Dollar

HBCC#:

6149

Breen#:

n/a

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

1599

Pollock#:

1794

This is George Morgan’s half dollar design, similar to his quarter dollar displayed at HBCC-6146. It is an outstanding example acquired by Harry Bass in 1973 via a private transaction. In the New Netherlands Coin Company’s June, 1970, auction, they suggested that less than 12 sets of this design were made, including dimes through dollars. Today, we believe that about a dozen of each survive. Design weakness at center of obverse and reverse is typical of the variety, with similar characteristics noted in both the Judd and Pollock references.

Provenance:

Purchased from Brinton T. Schorer, May 3, 1973, via Michael G. Brownlee (Goliad).

Obverse:

Head style of the regular-issue Morgan dollars of the date, three stars and E PLURIBUS before portrait, 10 stars and UNUM behind portrait, small date below bust.

Reverse:

Standing eagle at center, head to left, wings partially spread, olive branch and arrows in talons, peripheral legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA QUARTER DOLLAR around, IN GOD WE TRUST in smaller letters within peripheral legend.

Commentary:

"Patt 233. Gifted to HBRF, 12/1991."