Whitman Expo
1866 Transitional, No Motto Pattern Half Dollar PR J-538 Values
Details
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: Same obverse design as regular-issue Seated half dollar series of this year.
Reverse: Same design as no motto reverse regular issues for Seated half dollar series.
Basic Information
GSID:
12843
Coin Date:
1866
Denomination:
P50c / Pattern Half Dollar
Designation:
PR
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
Unique
Coinage Type:
Pattern
Composition:
Silver
Mint Mark:
P
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Transitional, No Motto
Variety 2:
J-538
Rarity:
R-8
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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