Patterns (1814)

History and Overview

In existence today are three examples struck in platinum of the 1814 half dollar, obverse and reverse in regular combination, dies unrusted, normally used to strike Overton-107 in silver. These pieces were struck in 1814, or perhaps in 1815.¹ Platinum was considered to be a precious metal at the time, but was not widely used in the Western Hemisphere for wrought items or coinage.

The circumstances of the production of the platinum 1814 half dollars are not known. One example bears the letter P counterstamped many times on the obverse, and with the word “Platina” engraved on the reverse by the eagle’s head, this referring to platinum.

Collecting Perspective

J-44 is of special importance as the only known 19th-century pattern coin to have been made in platinum, and, further, as an object of desire by collectors of Capped Bust half dollars of the 1807–1836 design. Moreover, it is one of only a few original early 19th-century United States pattern coin varieties in existence today.