J-1524 1877 Half Dollar Pattern, NGC PF63. R-7-. This rare, boldly struck, moderately toned, silver proof 1877 Half Dollar Pattern was also made in copper. The coin predominantly exhibits soft violet-gray toning with hints of gold, tan, and traces of blue and silver-gray. The colors attest to the coins originality. The surfaces are extremely clean with no hairlines visible or other distractions of note. As expected for a proof coin, the devices are fully struck and enhance the coins beauty.

Designed by William Barber, the obverse depicts a left-facing head of Liberty in profile with a broad band inscribed with LIBERTY incused. Heads of wheat, cotton, and bolls ornament her cap. There are six six-pointed stars left and seven to the right with the date below. Above the date, near the truncation and the hair curl is B for Barber. The reverse shows a small eagle perched in front of a shield. Around the shield is an ornamented broad band. It has scrollwork and dots which divide it into four sections. IN GOD WE TRUST in Gothic upper and lower case letters appears in the upper half of the band with E PLURIBUS UNUM in the lower half. Surrounding the band is the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR, separated by stars. The same reverse was also paired with Barbers Helmeted Liberty Head, J-1526 and J-1527.

William Barber was born in England, married and came to the United States as an adult. He was the son of an engraver and had apprenticed to his father in the early years in England. Among other things he learned typesetting for cards and labels and fine silver engraving. He settled in Boston in September 1852 and worked for Gorham & Company, manufacturers of silver and gold jewelry. Barber was responsible for die making and pattern design for Gorhams trade medals and commemoratives.

Eventually, as the Civil War was ending, James B. Longacre, Chief Engraver at the Mint, hired Barber as an assistant in 1865. Barber moved to Philadelphia and began designing patterns and medals for the Mint. One of his most famous medals was the one celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Americas Independence. When Longacre died in 1869, Barber became the fifth Chief Engraver at the Mint. He earned $3,000 per year in salary and held the position until his death in 1879. When he became the Chief Engraver, he immediately hired his unproven son, Charles to be an assistant engraver. This hiring was an example of the kind of patronage that Longacre had tried to eliminate.

The 1877 J-1524 pattern silver half dollar has an R7 rarity rating. In its population report, NGC shows 1, the present coin, in PF63 condition with 4 better. At PCGS, there is also 1 in PF63 with only 1 better.