J-79A 50c (J79A 50c) 1838 50C PCGS PF61. Gobrecht 50c. 1838 50C Pattern (J-79A) Gobrecht R-7. This outstanding proof pattern Gobrecht fifty cent coin has subdued mint luster within its devices. Its cameo-like appearance is created by the lighter figure of liberty contrasted with the darker toned fields. The obverse colors are light tan, blue, and russet, while the reverse shows teal, blue, lavender, and tan. Some minor very small marks on the obverse field and fewer on the reverse keep this coin from a higher mint state grade. The strike is full and sharp as expected for a proof coin. Christian Gobrecht designed new half dollar patterns in 1838. This output followed his 1836 silver dollars that researchers believe were struck in 1837. The half dollar was chosen as the primary coin for patterns of 1838 since the design of the dollar had been completed the previous year. Three obverse dies were made for the pattern half dollars. The first showed a large head of Liberty facing left with curls falling to her shoulder and LIBERTY on her hair ribbon. The second was a Liberty seated that used raised letters on the shield. The third, of which the present coin is an example, used incuse letters for LIBERTY with a straight date, not gently curved as in the previous pattern.

The Liberty Seated motif, used by Gobrecht for this half, is similar to his design for the dollar. It shows a seated figure of Liberty looking over her shoulder to the left. The seated goddess is a device used on many classic British coins. In her left hand she holds a pole with a Phrygian cap on it. In her other hand she balances a Union shield that is inscribed LIBERTY. She is surrounded by thirteen stars above, seven to the left, one between her head and the cap, and five to the right, with the date below. Around the periphery of the coin are dentils. The reverse shows an eagle in flight to the left. Its mouth is opened, and the neck feathers are somewhat ruffled. The flying eagle on the reverse is reminiscent of a Titian Peale drawing of the Mints pet eagle Old Pete. Peal was one of Americas earliest and foremost painters and naturalist illustrators. The flying eagle reverse later appeared on many other patterns as well as the regular cent issues of 1857-58.The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above and the denomination HALF DOLLAR is below.

Because Christian Gobrecht had an excellent job as a bank note engraver, he was reluctant to join the Mint staff. In order to persuade him to leave the engraving firm, Mint Director Patterson convinced Chief Engraver William Kneass, incapacitated by a stroke, to give up a significant part of his salary so more money would be available to hire the new employee.
The coin is an R-7+, which means that 4 to 6 pieces are known to exist today. In its population report PCGS shows 1 at PF61 with 3 better.