1795 Five Dollars ($5), Judd-23, Pollock-38

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1795 Five Dollars ($5), Judd-23, Pollock-38 PCGS VF30

1795 Five Dollars ($5), Judd-23, Pollock-38 on eBay

Image Courtesy of Heritage Auctions on eBay

This piece is a regular issue 1795 Small Eagle half eagle, categorized as Breen 3-D. The reverse features the distinctive blundered die with the last S in "STATES" overlapping a D. It was struck in copper and has a reeded edge. This early die trial is thought to be a true pattern issue or contemporary, unlike many off-metal variants from the mid-19th century. The coin showcases dark chocolate surfaces interspersed with lighter tan shades around the devices. Its surfaces are smooth and devoid of porosity, with only a few minor scrapes noted on the reverse. According to Saul Teichman on USPatterns.com, "Despite the coin appearing well worn, it is actually weakly struck and might have been created to space the dies before gold coinage production."

Currently, there are only two confirmed examples of the Judd-23 pattern issue. The other specimen comes from the Breen-1A dies and is defaced, making this example the finest known of its type. Andrew Pollock III referenced a third similar piece from the Breen-2C dies, which features significantly granular surfaces that might indicate it is a cast counterfeit. This example also displays an undertype with remnants of the previous design visible on Liberty's forehead, as well as in the details of the lower drapery and hair. The wavy lines in the center of the reverse provide little assistance for identification. Potential undertypes could include a modified large cent or a Talbot, Allum & Lee token. It is unlikely to be a half cent undertype due to the different diameters that would rule out such a possibility. Another theory suggests that this piece was double struck, as there are notable similarities between the design outlines of the impressions. We propose that this die trial was struck twice, likely during the press setup for spacing or alignment.

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1795 Five Dollars ($5), Judd-23, Pollock-38 Pattern Coins on eBay

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