This year is notable for the many half dollar patterns which were produced. They were struck from 3 obverse dies and numerous reverses. The first obverse is known today as the Kneass design although it was probably implemented by Christian Gobrecht as shown below on J75/P79. This obverse was also combined with 2 other reverses as on J73/P77 below and J72/P75 which the Mint would strike for sale to collectors over a period of some 30 years. It is unclear if any originals of either exist. The next obverse is Gobrecht's Liberty seated design with Liberty raised on the shield as on the silver dollar. This was combined with 4 reverses including J79/P89 below. The last obverse was Gobrecht's Liberty seated design but with the word Liberty incuse on the shield. It was used as an original only on J79A/P86. It was used on restrikes in the 1860s and 1870s on such pieces as J77/P85 and with a newly made reverse die on J80/P87. The last pattern of this year is the Gobrecht dollar J84/P93. It was modified from 1836 with the edition of stars on the obverse and the removal of stars from the reverse. These were also restruck from the late 1850s through the mid 1870s. This obverse was even combined with the starred reverse of 1836 J88/P98. Photos used are courtesy of Teletrade, the National Numismatic Collection of the Smithsonian Institution, Heritage and Bowers and Merena. Go to Previous Page Or Next Page