1866 P50c Transitional, No Motto, Silver, J-538 PR CAM

1866 Half Dollar. Not a pattern, but a mule created at a later date as a numismatic rarity. The 1866 “No Motto” Liberty Seated quarter dollar and half dollar are both considered unique. “Motto” refers to the scroll bearing the words IN GOD WE TRUST added to the backs of quarter and half dollars beginning in 1866. Thus, some experts consider the 1866 No Motto issues to be transitional patterns—missing links that bridge the old No Motto coins up to 1865 and new With Motto coins commencing in 1866. Without any other evidence, such a conclusion is perfectly logical and implies exceptional value and desirability. However, the 1866 No Motto quarter dollar and half dollar were probably not made in 1866, but years later! Their history is unknown, and they were not known to the collecting community until the 20th century.

Obverse Description

Regular Liberty Seated die of the year.

Reverse Description

Regular Liberty Seated die of the type before 1866, without motto.