1882 50C J-1700, Shield Earring PR62 Certification #40275504, PCGS #62106

Ron Guth

Judd 1700 is known as the "Shield Earring" design because of the unusual, shield-shaped earring worn by Miss Liberty.  Her flowing hair on the obverse and the defiant eagle on the reverse represent one of the most captivating and powerful design combinations on any U.S. coin.  Approximately a dozen examples are known of this popular rarity in all designations, the best of which appears to be Bob Simpson's PCGS PR65+CAM.  Simpson's example holds the price record of $54,625 for Judd-1700.