Gobrecht's flying eagle half dollar struck from the obverse with the Liberty raised on the shield ribbon. This is Judd's so-called 'curved date' variety. About a half dozen are believed to exist including examples in the Harry W. Bass Jr. Research Foundation and Durham Western Heritage Museum. This pattern also exists with Liberty incused on the shield ribbon, Judd's so-called 'straight date' as J79A/P86. Judd and Pollock lists originals and restrikes existing but this is an error caused by a misunderstanding of the dies involved. Both designs with the flying eagle reverse are originals! No light weight restrikes have ever been reported. To see both obverse dies side by side, click here. This is a composite. Photos used are courtesy of the National Numismatic Collection of the Smithsonian Institution.