HBCC-6036        1859 half dollar. Bust of Liberty ("French Liberty Head"). Silver. Judd-239, Pollock-295. Rarity-4.
Obverse Design: Bust of Liberty to right, oak wreath in hair, ribbon at neck reads LIBERTY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around, date below. This style was referred to as the French Liberty Head.
Reverse Design: Wreath of cotton, oak, corn, tobacco, and wheat, secured at bottom, around 1/2 DOLLAR at center.
Physical Description: Pale golden surfaces display areas of deeper gold and pale blue toning.
Die Notes and Comments. Obverse die by James Barton Longacre; reverse die attributed to Anthony C. Paquet by Mint Director James Ross Snowden in 1860.
Provenance: From Stack's ANA Sale, August 1971, Lot 448.
Narrative: Called by 19th-century numismatists the "French Head of Liberty," the actual obverse design is based on the Apollo Belvedere of the Vatican.
Specifications: Weight: 191.2 grains. • Diameter: 30.6 millimeters. • Edge: Reeded.
Harry W. Bass, Jr. Commentary: Inventory number: 15184.

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