This 1860 United States pattern coin is a striking example of pre-production trials, designed to test potential new coinage designs. It features a denomination of 50 cents and was minted in Philadelphia, a key production hub for United States currency. The coin was created under the artistic guidance of renowned designers Thomas Sully and Christian Gobrecht, showcasing their talent and vision for American coinage. Crafted from copper, this coin is noteworthy not only for its historical significance but also for its unique design elements, including a lettered edge, which adds an intricate detail to its overall appearance. The coin has a diameter of 30 mm, maintaining a standard size for half-dollar denominations. Although it is a proof coin, intended for striking sharp details and a high-quality finish, the mintage information indicates that no coins of this type were officially produced for circulation. The absence of a mint mark further solidifies its status as part of a test series, which often lacked mint marks as they were not intended for public release. Due to its rarity and its classification within the Patterns & Trial Coins series, this piece holds significant value among collectors and numismatists, not only as a piece of currency but also as a vital artifact of American coin history.
| currency | USD |
| currency-amount | 0.5 |
| designer | Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht |
| diameter | 30 |
| edge-type | Lettered |
| height | 0 |
| material | Copper |
| mint-mark | None |
| mintage | 0 |
| type | Coins |
| weight | 0 |
| width | 0 |
| year-display | 1860 |