 1870 50¢. Judd 939 (R-5). Choice Brilliant Proof. Silver, RE. 10.92 grams (168.5 grains). This obverse presents Barber's Capped Liberty wearing two large stars on her headband, her motto scroll bearing incuse LIBERTY without the initial 'B,' which is the die of Obverse 3b of 1869. Reverse expresses the denomination as 50/ CENTS with the date in a cereal wreath, STANDARD above. Satiny silver projects a deep mirror gleam, reeding is coarse and bold on this exciting pattern, struck in traditional .900 Silver but in a lighter weight to discourage hoarding in a coin-starved post-Civil War America.
Accompanied by a printed card stating ''This coin is From the Palace Collection of Former King Farouk of Egypt,'' signed by Sol Kaplan, the flamboyant Cincinnati dealer attending the historic sale with his friend Abe Kosoff. The King's fascination with U.S. Patterns made him a major force in this area of collecting.
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