J-341 1863 50C (J341 1863 Half Dollar) NGC PF66 BN. This rare, copper, proof 1863 Half Dollar Pattern coin is tied for the finest at both grading services with one other piece. It also comes with the provenance of the great Eliasberg Collection. The coin has lustrous, steel-brown devices set on chocolate and gold fields. Tints of coppery red, olive, silver, and dark brown are also present on this exquisite piece. The strike is sharp with full details seen on the centers of the stars and the details of Libertys head. Unlike many proofs of the time, this pattern is of superior quality. There are no lint marks, slide marks, or visible hairlines. The surfaces are original, clean, and free of individual blemishes worthy of mention.

Christian Gobrecht designed the Liberty Seated half dollar. The obverse depicts Liberty seated looking over her shoulder to the left. She balances the Union Shield inscribed LIBERTY with her right hand and holds a staff on which is placed a Phrygian cap in her left. There are seven stars to the left and six to the right interrupted by her head and the capped pole. The dated is below. The reverse shows the heraldic eagle looking left. It is surrounded by the required inscription and the denomination written as HALF DOL. below. Dentils are around the periphery of both sides of the coin. This coin is similar to the regular issue for the year, but the motto GOD OUR TRUST has been added in plain letters above the eagle.

Both before and during the Civil War almost a dozen Protestant denominations pressured Congress to add references to God to the Constitution and other government documents. Reverend Mark Richards Watkinson was the first to write to Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase to request that Gods name be added to our coinage. His suggestion for a motto was God, Liberty, Law. Chase ordered Mint Director James Pollock to prepare a suitable motto. Pollocks suggestions included Our Trust Is In God, Our God And Our Country, and God Our Trust, the present coin. Then Chase decided on In God We Trust to be added to most of the nations coinage. This motto was a subtle reminder that the North considered itself on the side of God with regard to the issue of slavery. A new law was required to allow the motto to be added since previous acts of Congress specified the mottos and devices that were permitted on coins. The new motto was placed on all coins that were deemed large enough to accommodate it.

Not only were the Mint officials trying to determine the best wording for the motto, they were also trying to decide how to place the motto on the coin. James B. Longacre, who was now the Chief Engraver, added mottos to various coins. In 1861 a pattern half dollar, J-277, had GOD OUR TRUST added on a scroll above the eagle. A second pattern for that year, J-279, had the motto in small letters added above the eagle with no scroll. Similarly in 1862 there was a pair of GOD OUR TRUST patterns with and without a scroll, J-293 and J-295. In 1863 the IN GOD WE TRUST motto appeared on patterns for the two-cent piece and half dollar. Longacre designed the two-cent piece, which was the first coin to use the motto and officially issued in 1864.

The J-341 pattern has a total certified population of 27 pieces, making it rare in all conditions. It has a rarity rating of R5, which means that 31 to 75 pieces exist. At NGC there are 2 in PF66 BN with none better. At PCGS none have been certified higher than PF65.