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Very PQ, some mint bloom, perhaps not enough for RB designation. On 21 April 1787, the Continental Congress of the United States authorized a design for an official penny, later referred to as the Fugio cent because of its image of the sun shining down on a sundial with the caption, "Fugio" (Latin for "I flee"). The image and the word combine to mean "Time Flies". While most scholars attribute the sundial and link design to Benjamin Franklin, Breen recounts that Franklin only prepared the sketches from older representations. Whichever is correct, the obverse motif represents simplicity itself. By interpreting the central illustration, any child of the 1770s could "read" the obverse as follows: "Usable time (daylight hours, business hours) flies away; therefore mind your business." This symbolically states that time and daylight are fleeing, so don't waste them, hence "mind your business". This design had also been used on the "Continental dollar" (issued as coins of unknown real denomination, and in paper notes of different fractional denominations) in February of 1776. The Continental dollars, in turn, served as a model for the Fugio cents, struck 11 years later. Franklin also was the designer of the linked rings device seen on the reverse. It would seem that most historians believe that the word "business" was intended literally here, as Franklin was an influential and successful businessman. However, considering the full saying of "mind your own business," which would not have fit on the coin, it could also be interpreted as a statement of privacy. "Mind your own business" is a modern English saying which asks for a respect of privacy. It is often shortened, even aloud, to MYOB. In addition, "Mind your own business" can mean "Stop meddling in what does not concern you. Attend your own affairs. It's not polite to tell people what to do when you are not responsible for other people." The reverse side of both the 1776 coins and paper notes, and the 1787 coins, bore the third motto "We Are One" (in English). When the United States was reformed after the 1789 ratification of the 1789 Constitution, gold and silver coins bore the official motto of the new United States, E pluribus Unum, taken from the also non-religious 1782 Great Seal of the United States. In 1864, during the Civil War, the Union (North) introduced a 2-cent coin with the new motto "In God We Trust". In 1956, In God We Trust was mandated for all US currency, but more recently there have been calls for a return to the original mottos. Franklin's influence on contemporary society today is perhaps unrealized, yet it is enormous. Even though Franklin was never president, his influence on the nation was--and is--incalculable, and his ties with the portentous design on this delightful coin are many and deep. A Bank of New York hoard variety.
Very PQ, some mint bloom, perhaps not enough for RB designation. On 21 April 1787, the Continental Congress of the United States authorized a design for an official penny, later referred to as the Fugio cent because of its image of the sun shining down on a sundial with the caption, "Fugio" (Latin for "I flee"). The image and the word combine to mean "Time Flies". While most scholars attribute the sundial and link design to Benjamin Franklin, Breen recounts that Franklin only prepared the sketches from older representations. Whichever is correct, the obverse motif represents simplicity itself. By interpreting the central illustration, any child of the 1770s could "read" the obverse as follows: "Usable time (daylight hours, business hours) flies away; therefore mind your business." This symbolically states that time and daylight are fleeing, so don't waste them, hence "mind your business". This design had also been used on the "Continental dollar" (issued as coins of unknown real denomination, and in paper notes of different fractional denominations) in February of 1776. The Continental dollars, in turn, served as a model for the Fugio cents, struck 11 years later. Franklin also was the designer of the linked rings device seen on the reverse. It would seem that most historians believe that the word "business" was intended literally here, as Franklin was an influential and successful businessman. However, considering the full saying of "mind your own business," which would not have fit on the coin, it could also be interpreted as a statement of privacy. "Mind your own business" is a modern English saying which asks for a respect of privacy. It is often shortened, even aloud, to MYOB. In addition, "Mind your own business" can mean "Stop meddling in what does not concern you. Attend your own affairs. It's not polite to tell people what to do when you are not responsible for other people." The reverse side of both the 1776 coins and paper notes, and the 1787 coins, bore the third motto "We Are One" (in English). When the United States was reformed after the 1789 ratification of the 1789 Constitution, gold and silver coins bore the official motto of the new United States, E pluribus Unum, taken from the also non-religious 1782 Great Seal of the United States. In 1864, during the Civil War, the Union (North) introduced a 2-cent coin with the new motto "In God We Trust". In 1956, In God We Trust was mandated for all US currency, but more recently there have been calls for a return to the original mottos. Franklin's influence on contemporary society today is perhaps unrealized, yet it is enormous. Even though Franklin was never president, his influence on the nation was--and is--incalculable, and his ties with the portentous design on this delightful coin are many and deep. A Bank of New York hoard variety.
Very PQ, some mint bloom, perhaps not enough for RB designation. On 21 April 1787, the Continental Congress of the United States authorized a design for an official penny, later referred to as the Fugio cent because of its image of the sun shining down on a sundial with the caption, "Fugio" (Latin for "I flee"). The image and the word combine to mean "Time Flies". While most scholars attribute the sundial and link design to Benjamin Franklin, Breen recounts that Franklin only prepared the sketches from older representations. Whichever is correct, the obverse motif represents simplicity itself. By interpreting the central illustration, any child of the 1770s could "read" the obverse as follows: "Usable time (daylight hours, business hours) flies away; therefore mind your business." This symbolically states that time and daylight are fleeing, so don't waste them, hence "mind your business". This design had also been used on the "Continental dollar" (issued as coins of unknown real denomination, and in paper notes of different fractional denominations) in February of 1776. The Continental dollars, in turn, served as a model for the Fugio cents, struck 11 years later. Franklin also was the designer of the linked rings device seen on the reverse. It would seem that most historians believe that the word "business" was intended literally here, as Franklin was an influential and successful businessman. However, considering the full saying of "mind your own business," which would not have fit on the coin, it could also be interpreted as a statement of privacy. "Mind your own business" is a modern English saying which asks for a respect of privacy. It is often shortened, even aloud, to MYOB. In addition, "Mind your own business" can mean "Stop meddling in what does not concern you. Attend your own affairs. It's not polite to tell people what to do when you are not responsible for other people." The reverse side of both the 1776 coins and paper notes, and the 1787 coins, bore the third motto "We Are One" (in English). When the United States was reformed after the 1789 ratification of the 1789 Constitution, gold and silver coins bore the official motto of the new United States, E pluribus Unum, taken from the also non-religious 1782 Great Seal of the United States. In 1864, during the Civil War, the Union (North) introduced a 2-cent coin with the new motto "In God We Trust". In 1956, In God We Trust was mandated for all US currency, but more recently there have been calls for a return to the original mottos. Franklin's influence on contemporary society today is perhaps unrealized, yet it is enormous. Even though Franklin was never president, his influence on the nation was--and is--incalculable, and his ties with the portentous design on this delightful coin are many and deep. A Bank of New York hoard variety.
C-2 Thomas Jefferson made the half cent the lowest denomination in the 1784 “Notes on Coinage” that he submitted to the federal government. Eventually, after much delay and Congressional inaction, Jefferson's proposal emerged as the Mint Act of April 2, 1792. David Rittenhouse, Adam Eckfeldt, and Robert Birch combined to execute the design of the small copper coin with Birch and Joseph Wright engraving the dies. By May 1793 over 30,000 copper half cent planchets had been prepared and on July 20 the Philadelphia Mint coined its first 7,000 specimens. Mint employees produced a further 24,934 pieces on July 26 and the final 3,400 examples on September 18. Having delivered a total of 35,344 1793 half cents, the Mint closed on the latter date so that its staff could flee Philadelphia and its annual yellow fever epidemic.
1806 1/2 C Large 6, Stems MS63RB B-4, C-4, R.1. Immediately distinguishable by a large, repunched 6 with the peak affixed to the base of Liberty's bust. Much faded mint-red color remains all over the coin. Most Uncirculated representatives of this variety trace back to the hoard of 1806 B-4 Half Cents that the Chapman brothers dispersed in 1906.
1806 1/2 C Large 6, Stems MS63RB B-4, C-4, R.1. Immediately distinguishable by a large, repunched 6 with the peak affixed to the base of Liberty's bust. Much faded mint-red color remains all over the coin. Most Uncirculated representatives of this variety trace back to the hoard of 1806 B-4 Half Cents that the Chapman brothers dispersed in 1906.
1828 1/2 C 13 Stars MS64 Red. C-3, B-2, R.1. This variety is attributed by: the low 2 in the date, repunching on star 7, the second S in STATES essentially even with the tip of the highest leaf, a defect that joins the left top of H in HALF to the above leaf, and a wreath spine that extends from the leaf point above HA. Orange mint luster enlivens well preserved surfaces, and a crisp strike has emboldened the design elements. A pleasing near-Gem half cent, housed in a green-label holder. Population: 6 in 64 Red, 1 finer (2/07). EAC 63. From The Temecula Collection, Part Two.
A gorgeous fire-red near Gem type coin that has nearly mark-free surfaces. The devices are very well struck, although portions of the dentils are softly brought up. Carbon is microscopic.
1795 1C Plain Edge AU58 S-78, B-8, R.1. This is one of the most common of all Liberty Cap large cent varieties and an ideal candidate for the date or type collector. For this die pairing, the peak of the 5 in the date just touches the bust truncation. Date and LIBERTY are closely spaced. ONE CENT is centered in the wreath and widely separated. ONE CENT is high in the wreath, as the engraver avoided placing CENT within the narrow space between the lower leaves, and the E in STATES is entered high. Specialists of 1795 cents know that the two most common varieties are S-76b and S-78, both Plain Edge varieties. The Lettered Edge varieties are significantly scarcer, as indicated by Guide Book prices. While none of the three collectible Plain Edge 1795 cent die pairs can be considered more than scarce, the type is more in-demand than the supply can handle, especially for better conditions such as Choice AU.
1795 1C Plain Edge AU58 S-78, B-8, R.1. This is one of the most common of all Liberty Cap large cent varieties and an ideal candidate for the date or type collector. For this die pairing, the peak of the 5 in the date just touches the bust truncation. Date and LIBERTY are closely spaced. ONE CENT is centered in the wreath and widely separated. ONE CENT is high in the wreath, as the engraver avoided placing CENT within the narrow space between the lower leaves, and the E in STATES is entered high. Specialists of 1795 cents know that the two most common varieties are S-76b and S-78, both Plain Edge varieties. The Lettered Edge varieties are significantly scarcer, as indicated by Guide Book prices. While none of the three collectible Plain Edge 1795 cent die pairs can be considered more than scarce, the type is more in-demand than the supply can handle, especially for better conditions such as Choice AU.
1795 1C Plain Edge AU58 S-78, B-8, R.1. This is one of the most common of all Liberty Cap large cent varieties and an ideal candidate for the date or type collector. For this die pairing, the peak of the 5 in the date just touches the bust truncation. Date and LIBERTY are closely spaced. ONE CENT is centered in the wreath and widely separated. ONE CENT is high in the wreath, as the engraver avoided placing CENT within the narrow space between the lower leaves, and the E in STATES is entered high. Specialists of 1795 cents know that the two most common varieties are S-76b and S-78, both Plain Edge varieties. The Lettered Edge varieties are significantly scarcer, as indicated by Guide Book prices. While none of the three collectible Plain Edge 1795 cent die pairs can be considered more than scarce, the type is more in-demand than the supply can handle, especially for better conditions such as Choice AU.
1797 1C Reverse of 1797, Stems, S-123, B-12, R.4 MS64BN. This coin probably traces its origin back to the Nichols find, which included many Mint State examples of this scarce variety. Sheldon-123 is one of three varieties (the other two are S-119 and S-135) made collectible in Uncirculated grades due to the Nichols Find. However, a glance at third party populations confirms that quality examples are rare by the standards of most U.S. series. This is the second of the three varieties attributed to the Nichols Find, with an extremely close date, six berries in each branch, and the final 0 high. The obverse appears on S-122, S-123, NC-2, and NC-3. The reverse appears on 1796 S-119 and 1797 S-123. There is a tiny cut (die chip) on Liberty's cheek below the eye--a diagnostic feature of this S-123--which identifies this Nichols Find variety, which is usually found in or near Mint State grades. At least 10 examples of this variety are known in Mint State, and many more just miss that level, usually with full Mint State sharpness and minor deductions for slight imperfections. Considered R.4, meaning between 80 and 200 examples survive, well over half of the known examples grade AU or better. In fact, the variety would probably be a solid R.5 or perhaps even R.6 if that hoard never existed. Like nearly all coins from the Nichols Find, the surfaces of both sides are a pleasing medium brown with slightly reflective fields. This exceptionally well struck, orange-brown example has unusually smooth surfaces and excellent eye appeal.
1797 1C Reverse of 1797, Stems, S-123, B-12, R.4 MS64BN. This coin probably traces its origin back to the Nichols find, which included many Mint State examples of this scarce variety. Sheldon-123 is one of three varieties (the other two are S-119 and S-135) made collectible in Uncirculated grades due to the Nichols Find. However, a glance at third party populations confirms that quality examples are rare by the standards of most U.S. series. This is the second of the three varieties attributed to the Nichols Find, with an extremely close date, six berries in each branch, and the final 0 high. The obverse appears on S-122, S-123, NC-2, and NC-3. The reverse appears on 1796 S-119 and 1797 S-123. There is a tiny cut (die chip) on Liberty's cheek below the eye--a diagnostic feature of this S-123--which identifies this Nichols Find variety, which is usually found in or near Mint State grades. At least 10 examples of this variety are known in Mint State, and many more just miss that level, usually with full Mint State sharpness and minor deductions for slight imperfections. Considered R.4, meaning between 80 and 200 examples survive, well over half of the known examples grade AU or better. In fact, the variety would probably be a solid R.5 or perhaps even R.6 if that hoard never existed. Like nearly all coins from the Nichols Find, the surfaces of both sides are a pleasing medium brown with slightly reflective fields. This exceptionally well struck, orange-brown example has unusually smooth surfaces and excellent eye appeal.
1797 1C Reverse of 1797, Stems, S-123, B-12, R.4 MS64BN. This coin probably traces its origin back to the Nichols find, which included many Mint State examples of this scarce variety. Sheldon-123 is one of three varieties (the other two are S-119 and S-135) made collectible in Uncirculated grades due to the Nichols Find. However, a glance at third party populations confirms that quality examples are rare by the standards of most U.S. series. This is the second of the three varieties attributed to the Nichols Find, with an extremely close date, six berries in each branch, and the final 0 high. The obverse appears on S-122, S-123, NC-2, and NC-3. The reverse appears on 1796 S-119 and 1797 S-123. There is a tiny cut (die chip) on Liberty's cheek below the eye--a diagnostic feature of this S-123--which identifies this Nichols Find variety, which is usually found in or near Mint State grades. At least 10 examples of this variety are known in Mint State, and many more just miss that level, usually with full Mint State sharpness and minor deductions for slight imperfections. Considered R.4, meaning between 80 and 200 examples survive, well over half of the known examples grade AU or better. In fact, the variety would probably be a solid R.5 or perhaps even R.6 if that hoard never existed. Like nearly all coins from the Nichols Find, the surfaces of both sides are a pleasing medium brown with slightly reflective fields. This exceptionally well struck, orange-brown example has unusually smooth surfaces and excellent eye appeal.
S-254, B-13, R.1, PQ. Breen Die State IV. Sheldon-254 is readily identified by the heavy die crack through the bust tip. This is a lustrous light chocolate-brown Draped Bust cent that has glimpses of faded Mint pumpkin-gold within the reverse legends. Minor strike-throughs distributed on the right obverse and on the upper right reverse quadrant are of mint origin, as is a small depression near the obverse rim at 8 o'clock. Contact is limited to faint ticks on the neck and on the reverse near 1 o'clock. Nicely struck, and a desirable type coin in such exemplary grade. EAC 53.
S-254, B-13, R.1, PQ. Breen Die State IV. Sheldon-254 is readily identified by the heavy die crack through the bust tip. This is a lustrous light chocolate-brown Draped Bust cent that has glimpses of faded Mint pumpkin-gold within the reverse legends. Minor strike-throughs distributed on the right obverse and on the upper right reverse quadrant are of mint origin, as is a small depression near the obverse rim at 8 o'clock. Contact is limited to faint ticks on the neck and on the reverse near 1 o'clock. Nicely struck, and a desirable type coin in such exemplary grade. EAC 53.
S-254, B-13, R.1, PQ. Breen Die State IV. Sheldon-254 is readily identified by the heavy die crack through the bust tip. This is a lustrous light chocolate-brown Draped Bust cent that has glimpses of faded Mint pumpkin-gold within the reverse legends. Minor strike-throughs distributed on the right obverse and on the upper right reverse quadrant are of mint origin, as is a small depression near the obverse rim at 8 o'clock. Contact is limited to faint ticks on the neck and on the reverse near 1 o'clock. Nicely struck, and a desirable type coin in such exemplary grade. EAC 53.
1837 1C Medium Letters MS65RB. N-6, Low R.2. The 3 in the date is low, and the left foot of the N in ONE is recut. An interesting example from a year in which the cent was the only copper denomination coined, this Gem cent has considerable original orange mint color.
1857 1C PR63. Housed in a green-label PCGS holder is a splendid proof Flying Eagle cent. The design definition is bold, and the surfaces are excellent, with only a few minor abrasions in the mirrored fields. A few tiny planchet flakes, lint marks, and die lines are all as made on this brilliant cent.
1859 1C MS65. This is the first year of issue for the Indian Cent design by James Barton Longacre, and it is a one-year design type. The characteristic striking weaknesses which the Mint experienced during production of the Flying Eagle Cent prompted Mint Director Colonel James Ross Snowden to order designer/engraver James Longacre to prepare other cent designs, one of which would replace the Flying Eagle as of January 1, 1859. After reviewing various pattern cents, Snowden chose the Indian/laurel wreath combination because it was in lowest relief of all the candidates, striking up better than the others. This coin became the Indian Cent, which has been immensely popular with generations of collectors. With the Indian cent design as adopted on cents from 1860 through 1909 on the obverse, and the laurel wreath reverse that was only used in this year, the 1859 has proved to be a type coin of enduring popularity. Unfortunately for the Mint as well as modern collectors, this issue proved equally difficult to strike as its Flying Eagle predecessors. Many otherwise attractive coins are limited in grade by bluntness of detail over the date, denomination, feather tips, and diamonds. Not so the present Gem. Every feature is well brought up, and the smooth surfaces are devoid of any major distractions. This example is fully lustrous and sharply struck with exquisite golden-tan coloration.The premier delivery in 1859 totaled 36.4 million pieces, and they are distinct as being the only coins in this series with a laurel wreath enclosing the denomination ONE CENT on the reverse. The obverse has a profile of Liberty facing to the left, wearing a headdress consisting of nine broad feathers. The band on the headdress is inscribed with the word LIBERTY, and a ribbon hangs down near the neck, containing four decorative diamonds. A small raised die chip on Liberty's cheek identifies this obverse die. The reverse consists of a laurel wreath, open at the top, and tied by a ribbon at the bottom. This wreath encloses the denomination ONE CENT. The reverse die is well-made without any die defects.
Khaki-olive color cascades across both sides of this satiny Gem. Conditionally rare and ranked as one of the finest-known representatives of the date, one is unable to locate even the the most paltry of abrasions on this coin. Eagle Eye Photo Seal approved, with card of authenticity.
1877 1C MS64 Red and Brown. Just a bit weakly struck on the feather tips of the headdress, the surfaces have variegated original reddish-golden color interspersed with brown on each side. The 1877 is the key date in the Indian cent series with only 852,500 pieces struck. From The Key Date Coin Collection.
1908-S 1C MS66RD. This is an outstanding, intensely bright example of the first minor (copper) coinage issue struck at a branch mint in the United States. Judging from the population data, the 1908-S and 1909-S Indian cents are about equal in rarity in high grades with full red color, and both are much, much rarer than the 1909-S VDB cent in such condition. Although the 1908-S was probably saved to some degree as the first mintmarked cent, the 1909-S Indian was saved as the last of the series (and the general collecting public saved many more 'SVDBs as a novel new design). The San Francisco cents of 1908 and 1909 were struck on lighter-colored planchets than earlier cent issues. The '08-S is a scarce (1.1 million pieces produced), semi-key issue in the Indian Head cent series at all levels of preservation. Obviously set aside shortly after delivery, this fully Red, carbon-free example of this introductory, branch-mint Indian cent displays unbelievable flash. The coin possesses full mint luster and even, orange-red coloration. Copper-gold luster adorns both sides, and the well-executed, virtually full strike is exacting throughout, resulting in crisp definition of the design features, including sharpness on the bowknot, all four diamonds, and on the tips of the feathers at the top of the Indian's headdress. Both sides are exceptionally smooth with a shimmering satin texture. Close examination reveals remarkably clean surfaces and no spots worthy of note; There are only a couple of slight, relatively unobtrusive contact marks on the cheek and neck to justify this grade, as opposed to a higher one. A magnificent example of this scarce, late-date Indian cent, this piece shows even, bright mint red color, unlike the streaky coins often seen on 1908 and especially 1909 cents. Rick Snow states "Full feathers are extremely rare" [on an '08-S] but if the strike atop the headdress feathers of this coin is not fully razor-sharp, in light of the issue's striking weakness being ever-present, this is forgivable. The Eliasberg catalog notes that 1908-S cents were struck on silver presses. The hardness of bronze compared to silver might help explain why this issue is usually found softly struck. That being said, Mr. Eliasberg held out for a sharp one, and I've been fortunate, too. The srike on this piece is exemplary. It would be difficult to imagine a more attractive example.
1909 VDB 1C MS67 Red. A magnificent example of this one-year type with the designer's initials along the lower reverse rim. Well struck with an appealing satiny glow and full mint-red coloration across both sides. Attractive copper-gold color takes on more of a brassy appearance on the reverse, and rests over highly lustrous surfaces that exhibit sharply struck design elements. Well preserved throughout, with just a few tiny obverse flecks. A fine crack runs from the base of the T in CENT to the right rim. Essentially pristine, and a Superb Gem example. singular survivor with dramatic eye appeal. Fiery reddish-orange surfaces are virtually pristine with a subtle lightening of color at the central reverse. Exquisitely detailed and carefully preserved for over a century. According to Dr. Sol Taylor's The Standard Guide to the Lincoln Cent, the designer's initials may be found in eight different varieties, from three periods to no periods (as the dies filled in with detritus), of which the rarest are those with one period. The present coin has traces of each period present. Intense mint frost radiates from each side of this blazing red Superb Gem cent. It is well struck and virtually pristine, with truly wonderful eye appeal. Unusually rich red-orange coloration blankets each side of this lustrous and well struck Superb Gem. The soft, shimmering surfaces are expertly preserved. An extremely attractive example of this important first-year issue. A seemingly immaculate straw-gold Superb Gem that has sharply struck devices and shining fields. A magnificent example of this one-year type. this well struck first-year Lincoln. This is an amazing Superb Gem with sharp design details and remarkable eye appeal. Both sides are highly lustrous with brilliant and frosty orange surfaces. In certified Gem Red condition the 1909 No VDB cent is actually much more elusive than the 1909 VDB cent, which was saved and hoarded in enormous numbers at the time of issue.
Intense luster, impressive color, NO spots, Very PQ. This is, perhaps, the most well-known collector date coin in the 20th century. With a mintage of just 484,000 pieces, the lowest of the series, it has the lowest mintage of any regular issue Small Cent, aside from the 1909-S Indian Cent. The 1909-S VDB enjoys a constant level of popularity from collectors because of its relatively low mintage, it’s first year of issue status, and the fact that 1909 was the only year the designer's initials were, at least for a while, placed on the lower reverse. The desirability of the issue is increased by its quality; unlike many San Francisco issues from the teens and twenties, the 1909-S V.D.B. tends to come well struck from fresh dies with consistent color. Calling it “The Holy Grail for Lincoln cent collectors,” David Lange, writing on the 1909-S VDB cent in his The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents, refers to a story that is attributed to numismatic researcher George Fuld who "...recounts how coin dealer John Zug acquired some 25,000 uncirculated 1909-S V.D.B. cents directly from the San Francisco Mint at the time of their issue. Correctly surmising that these coins...would grow in value, he held onto them for several years. Around 1918, however, he decided to sell short [sic], realizing 1.75 cents apiece for his hoard. While of course we cannot be sure of Zug's motivations, perhaps he was alarmed by the restoration of Brenner's initials to the obverse of the cent beginning that year, fearing that this would lessen the value of his investment." Chief Engraver Charles Barber is often portrayed as a jealous (and even villainous) figure by imaginative numismatic writers, especially when the subject concerned designs from outside artists. Barber is frequently credited with the prompt removal of the 'prominent' V.D.B. initials from the reverse; they returned to the Cent on Lincoln's shoulder in 1918, after Barber's demise. While a valuable issue in all Mint State grades, only once the MS66 tier is reached does the '09-S VDB truly qualify as a scarcity.
Intense luster, impressive color, NO spots, Very PQ. This is, perhaps, the most well-known collector date coin in the 20th century. With a mintage of just 484,000 pieces, the lowest of the series, it has the lowest mintage of any regular issue Small Cent, aside from the 1909-S Indian Cent. The 1909-S VDB enjoys a constant level of popularity from collectors because of its relatively low mintage, it’s first year of issue status, and the fact that 1909 was the only year the designer's initials were, at least for a while, placed on the lower reverse. The desirability of the issue is increased by its quality; unlike many San Francisco issues from the teens and twenties, the 1909-S V.D.B. tends to come well struck from fresh dies with consistent color. Calling it “The Holy Grail for Lincoln cent collectors,” David Lange, writing on the 1909-S VDB cent in his The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents, refers to a story that is attributed to numismatic researcher George Fuld who "...recounts how coin dealer John Zug acquired some 25,000 uncirculated 1909-S V.D.B. cents directly from the San Francisco Mint at the time of their issue. Correctly surmising that these coins...would grow in value, he held onto them for several years. Around 1918, however, he decided to sell short [sic], realizing 1.75 cents apiece for his hoard. While of course we cannot be sure of Zug's motivations, perhaps he was alarmed by the restoration of Brenner's initials to the obverse of the cent beginning that year, fearing that this would lessen the value of his investment." Chief Engraver Charles Barber is often portrayed as a jealous (and even villainous) figure by imaginative numismatic writers, especially when the subject concerned designs from outside artists. Barber is frequently credited with the prompt removal of the 'prominent' V.D.B. initials from the reverse; they returned to the Cent on Lincoln's shoulder in 1918, after Barber's demise. While a valuable issue in all Mint State grades, only once the MS66 tier is reached does the '09-S VDB truly qualify as a scarcity.
Intense luster, impressive color, NO spots, Very PQ. This is, perhaps, the most well-known collector date coin in the 20th century. With a mintage of just 484,000 pieces, the lowest of the series, it has the lowest mintage of any regular issue Small Cent, aside from the 1909-S Indian Cent. The 1909-S VDB enjoys a constant level of popularity from collectors because of its relatively low mintage, it’s first year of issue status, and the fact that 1909 was the only year the designer's initials were, at least for a while, placed on the lower reverse. The desirability of the issue is increased by its quality; unlike many San Francisco issues from the teens and twenties, the 1909-S V.D.B. tends to come well struck from fresh dies with consistent color. Calling it “The Holy Grail for Lincoln cent collectors,” David Lange, writing on the 1909-S VDB cent in his The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents, refers to a story that is attributed to numismatic researcher George Fuld who "...recounts how coin dealer John Zug acquired some 25,000 uncirculated 1909-S V.D.B. cents directly from the San Francisco Mint at the time of their issue. Correctly surmising that these coins...would grow in value, he held onto them for several years. Around 1918, however, he decided to sell short [sic], realizing 1.75 cents apiece for his hoard. While of course we cannot be sure of Zug's motivations, perhaps he was alarmed by the restoration of Brenner's initials to the obverse of the cent beginning that year, fearing that this would lessen the value of his investment." Chief Engraver Charles Barber is often portrayed as a jealous (and even villainous) figure by imaginative numismatic writers, especially when the subject concerned designs from outside artists. Barber is frequently credited with the prompt removal of the 'prominent' V.D.B. initials from the reverse; they returned to the Cent on Lincoln's shoulder in 1918, after Barber's demise. While a valuable issue in all Mint State grades, only once the MS66 tier is reached does the '09-S VDB truly qualify as a scarcity.
Smoking Pays Off For Collectors, by Jaime Hernandez (from the PCGS Library) October 11, 2011. In the year 1955, some lucky individuals who smoked cigarettes (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it), had the opportunity of receiving one or two brand new Uncirculated 1955 Doubled Die cents in change from cigarette vending machines. At the time, a pack of cigarettes would only cost 23 cents from vending machines. However, there was one problem: those vending machines would only take quarters. In 1955, the vending machines were just not equipped to take different coin denominations or give back change. The cigarette companies had to either raise the prices or figure out a way to give back change. Instead of taking the risk of raising prices and possibly losing customers to other cigarette companies, some cigarette vendors decided to place two cents inside each pack of cigarettes to give back as change. Therefore, when smokers placed a quarter in the cigarette vending machines, the customers would receive a pack of cigarettes with two Lincoln cents that were inside the cellophane packaging. And this is where many of the 1955 Doubled Dies were discovered! Thanks to the dramatic doubling on the 1955 Doubled Die cents, it did not require strong magnification or a loupe in 1955 to see the doubling on the new cents. So many 1955 Doubled Dies were found the same year in which they were released, as most people could easily spot the doubling with the naked eye. Since many 1955 Doubled Die cents were pulled from circulation shortly after they were minted and set aside by collectors, most coins today exist in high-grade condition. In fact, the majority of existing 1955 Doubled Dies today are in AU to Uncirculated condition. This is because many of them barely circulated or did not circulate at all. The 1955 Doubled Dies were created when the Mint accidentally struck a working hub and a working die together while they were both slightly rotated differently from one another. Consequently, this working die then received a doubled die impression. And as a result, this working die struck thousands of 1955 Doubled Die cents. After the 1955 Doubled Dies were struck, they were mixed with millions of regular circulation strike cents of the same year. Mint employees did manage to capture many of the error 1955 Doubled Die cents before they went into circulation, but many more circumvented their screening process. Consequently, the Mint decided that it was just not worth the trouble of melting millions of cents just to try to retrieve the approximately 25,000 Doubled Die cents that were accidentally produced. Since then, so many coins have been lost and damaged in circulation, that today's number of surviving examples is more like 10,000 to 15,000 in all grades combined.
Smoking Pays Off For Collectors, by Jaime Hernandez (from the PCGS Library) October 11, 2011. In the year 1955, some lucky individuals who smoked cigarettes (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it), had the opportunity of receiving one or two brand new Uncirculated 1955 Doubled Die cents in change from cigarette vending machines. At the time, a pack of cigarettes would only cost 23 cents from vending machines. However, there was one problem: those vending machines would only take quarters. In 1955, the vending machines were just not equipped to take different coin denominations or give back change. The cigarette companies had to either raise the prices or figure out a way to give back change. Instead of taking the risk of raising prices and possibly losing customers to other cigarette companies, some cigarette vendors decided to place two cents inside each pack of cigarettes to give back as change. Therefore, when smokers placed a quarter in the cigarette vending machines, the customers would receive a pack of cigarettes with two Lincoln cents that were inside the cellophane packaging. And this is where many of the 1955 Doubled Dies were discovered! Thanks to the dramatic doubling on the 1955 Doubled Die cents, it did not require strong magnification or a loupe in 1955 to see the doubling on the new cents. So many 1955 Doubled Dies were found the same year in which they were released, as most people could easily spot the doubling with the naked eye. Since many 1955 Doubled Die cents were pulled from circulation shortly after they were minted and set aside by collectors, most coins today exist in high-grade condition. In fact, the majority of existing 1955 Doubled Dies today are in AU to Uncirculated condition. This is because many of them barely circulated or did not circulate at all. The 1955 Doubled Dies were created when the Mint accidentally struck a working hub and a working die together while they were both slightly rotated differently from one another. Consequently, this working die then received a doubled die impression. And as a result, this working die struck thousands of 1955 Doubled Die cents. After the 1955 Doubled Dies were struck, they were mixed with millions of regular circulation strike cents of the same year. Mint employees did manage to capture many of the error 1955 Doubled Die cents before they went into circulation, but many more circumvented their screening process. Consequently, the Mint decided that it was just not worth the trouble of melting millions of cents just to try to retrieve the approximately 25,000 Doubled Die cents that were accidentally produced. Since then, so many coins have been lost and damaged in circulation, that today's number of surviving examples is more like 10,000 to 15,000 in all grades combined.
1959-D 1C MS66RD. Mintage: 1,279,760,000. A nearly immaculate Premium Gem, with exceptional quality for this first-year Memorial reverse issue. Brilliant, fiery mint-red color and stunning luster radiates from surfaces that reveal no mentionable spots or abrasions. The design elements are adequately struck.
1959-D 1C MS66RD. Mintage: 1,279,760,000. A nearly immaculate Premium Gem, with exceptional quality for this first-year Memorial reverse issue. Brilliant, fiery mint-red color and stunning luster radiates from surfaces that reveal no mentionable spots or abrasions. The design elements are adequately struck.
Die Pair #2. From 1793 through 2007, the Philadelphia Mint coined cents (either large or small) in every year except 1815 and 1922. However, certain pieces coined at the Denver Mint in 1922 lacked a mintmark. This outstanding example is one such coin from "Die Pair 2," with the strong reverse, the only one of three varieties that can truly be called a "No D" cent. These used to be called 1922 "Plain" cents, but the "No D" designation is a more apt description. This variety is the result of die refinishing after a clashing accident, much like the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo. David Lange described the process in The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents: "The no-D variety of Die Pair 2 resulted when a pair of normal dies clashed, leaving both dies with shallow and inverted impressions of one another. The obverse die was polished to remove these clash marks, leaving it without a mintmark and with several low-relief elements." The reverse die was discarded, but the abrasively polished obverse die was returned to the coinage press with a new reverse die. The staff at the Denver Mint apparently failed to notice that the polishing, while successfully removing evidence of the die clashing, also removed the D mintmark from the obverse die. Three die pairs have been associated with this phenomenon, and while all command some level of premium, Die Pair #2, the Strong Reverse variant, is the most coveted, while the other two have lagged in the numismatic marketplace. Two major reasons are cited. One is the bold reverse of the second die pair, more aesthetically appealing than the poorly detailed reverses of the other die pairs, while the other is the consistency with which Die Pair #2 produced No D strikes. All three die pairs show weak obverses, but some examples of the Die Pairs 1 and 3 show traces of a weak D mintmark remaining, while none of the Strong Reverse (Die Pair 2) examples show any trace of a D mintmark remaining, and full Mint State representatives, as here, are extremely rare. Certain characteristics are required for any example to be attributed as a Die Pair Two coin. The Die Pair 2 is easily recognized (aside from the complete absence of a D mintmark) by the second 2 in the date, which is sharper than the first 2, diagnostic for this key date variety, as on Die Pairs 1 and 3 the second 2 in the date is weaker than the first 2. On Die Pair 2, the TY of LIBERTY are both sharper than the remaining letters, IN GOD is noticeably weak, WE is less so, and TRUST is bold (this is a key identifier for the variety), while most of the other obverse design details appear quite weak due to extensive die use and repair. The reverse on Die Pair 2 is much sharper throughout, including separation in the wheat ears, than is ever seen on Die Pairs 1 or 3. The Die Pair 2 reverse is crisp with all details sharply defined, while both Die Pairs 1 and 3 show virtually no detail remaining on the wheat ears and have a generally tired, worn-out appearance.
Die Pair #2. From 1793 through 2007, the Philadelphia Mint coined cents (either large or small) in every year except 1815 and 1922. However, certain pieces coined at the Denver Mint in 1922 lacked a mintmark. This outstanding example is one such coin from "Die Pair 2," with the strong reverse, the only one of three varieties that can truly be called a "No D" cent. These used to be called 1922 "Plain" cents, but the "No D" designation is a more apt description. This variety is the result of die refinishing after a clashing accident, much like the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo. David Lange described the process in The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents: "The no-D variety of Die Pair 2 resulted when a pair of normal dies clashed, leaving both dies with shallow and inverted impressions of one another. The obverse die was polished to remove these clash marks, leaving it without a mintmark and with several low-relief elements." The reverse die was discarded, but the abrasively polished obverse die was returned to the coinage press with a new reverse die. The staff at the Denver Mint apparently failed to notice that the polishing, while successfully removing evidence of the die clashing, also removed the D mintmark from the obverse die. Three die pairs have been associated with this phenomenon, and while all command some level of premium, Die Pair #2, the Strong Reverse variant, is the most coveted, while the other two have lagged in the numismatic marketplace. Two major reasons are cited. One is the bold reverse of the second die pair, more aesthetically appealing than the poorly detailed reverses of the other die pairs, while the other is the consistency with which Die Pair #2 produced No D strikes. All three die pairs show weak obverses, but some examples of the Die Pairs 1 and 3 show traces of a weak D mintmark remaining, while none of the Strong Reverse (Die Pair 2) examples show any trace of a D mintmark remaining, and full Mint State representatives, as here, are extremely rare. Certain characteristics are required for any example to be attributed as a Die Pair Two coin. The Die Pair 2 is easily recognized (aside from the complete absence of a D mintmark) by the second 2 in the date, which is sharper than the first 2, diagnostic for this key date variety, as on Die Pairs 1 and 3 the second 2 in the date is weaker than the first 2. On Die Pair 2, the TY of LIBERTY are both sharper than the remaining letters, IN GOD is noticeably weak, WE is less so, and TRUST is bold (this is a key identifier for the variety), while most of the other obverse design details appear quite weak due to extensive die use and repair. The reverse on Die Pair 2 is much sharper throughout, including separation in the wheat ears, than is ever seen on Die Pairs 1 or 3. The Die Pair 2 reverse is crisp with all details sharply defined, while both Die Pairs 1 and 3 show virtually no detail remaining on the wheat ears and have a generally tired, worn-out appearance.
Die Pair #2. From 1793 through 2007, the Philadelphia Mint coined cents (either large or small) in every year except 1815 and 1922. However, certain pieces coined at the Denver Mint in 1922 lacked a mintmark. This outstanding example is one such coin from "Die Pair 2," with the strong reverse, the only one of three varieties that can truly be called a "No D" cent. These used to be called 1922 "Plain" cents, but the "No D" designation is a more apt description. This variety is the result of die refinishing after a clashing accident, much like the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo. David Lange described the process in The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents: "The no-D variety of Die Pair 2 resulted when a pair of normal dies clashed, leaving both dies with shallow and inverted impressions of one another. The obverse die was polished to remove these clash marks, leaving it without a mintmark and with several low-relief elements." The reverse die was discarded, but the abrasively polished obverse die was returned to the coinage press with a new reverse die. The staff at the Denver Mint apparently failed to notice that the polishing, while successfully removing evidence of the die clashing, also removed the D mintmark from the obverse die. Three die pairs have been associated with this phenomenon, and while all command some level of premium, Die Pair #2, the Strong Reverse variant, is the most coveted, while the other two have lagged in the numismatic marketplace. Two major reasons are cited. One is the bold reverse of the second die pair, more aesthetically appealing than the poorly detailed reverses of the other die pairs, while the other is the consistency with which Die Pair #2 produced No D strikes. All three die pairs show weak obverses, but some examples of the Die Pairs 1 and 3 show traces of a weak D mintmark remaining, while none of the Strong Reverse (Die Pair 2) examples show any trace of a D mintmark remaining, and full Mint State representatives, as here, are extremely rare. Certain characteristics are required for any example to be attributed as a Die Pair Two coin. The Die Pair 2 is easily recognized (aside from the complete absence of a D mintmark) by the second 2 in the date, which is sharper than the first 2, diagnostic for this key date variety, as on Die Pairs 1 and 3 the second 2 in the date is weaker than the first 2. On Die Pair 2, the TY of LIBERTY are both sharper than the remaining letters, IN GOD is noticeably weak, WE is less so, and TRUST is bold (this is a key identifier for the variety), while most of the other obverse design details appear quite weak due to extensive die use and repair. The reverse on Die Pair 2 is much sharper throughout, including separation in the wheat ears, than is ever seen on Die Pairs 1 or 3. The Die Pair 2 reverse is crisp with all details sharply defined, while both Die Pairs 1 and 3 show virtually no detail remaining on the wheat ears and have a generally tired, worn-out appearance.
Ira Stein (he's known as Iras4 on eBay) Obverse field spot is a copper spot, NOT a carbon spot.
Ira Stein (he's known as Iras4 on eBay) Obverse field spot is a copper spot, NOT a carbon spot.
2 Brian Wagner Hall of Fame Coins! Top ex D. Blake, Bot 67RB ex Pete Miller
2 Brian Wagner Hall of Fame Coins! Top ex D. Blake, Bot 67RB ex Pete Miller
2 Brian Wagner Hall of Fame Coins! Top ex D. Blake, Bot 67RB ex Pete Miller
Brian Wagner (www.bwrarecoins.com) still in Old Green Holder, ex. Dan Close
Brian Wagner 'Hall of Fame' Coin still in Old Green Holder, ex Stewart Blay
1864 2C Large Motto MS65RD. A fiery, very premium quality Gem of this important and widely collected odd denomination. Millions were struck of this first year issue, but full red Gems are anything but common. The surfaces of this coin display a vibrant and totally original orange-red color that barely shows just a whisper mellowing in the nearly 15 decades since its Civil War era origin. The mint red color is virtually undiminished by the passage of time, appearing today much as it did in 1864, the year Colonel Chivington massacred the Southern Cheyenne at Sand Creek. This unusual denomination was created to help fill the yawning gap in circulating coinage that resulted from the widespread hoarding of coins in the early 1860s. An historic issue designed by James Barton Longacre that is indelibly linked with the Civil War, the 1864 two cent piece is also the first U.S. coin to bear the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The present example is the second and more commorn of the two varieties produced this year. The earlier Small Motto coins were prototypes and modified after only a few thousand were struck, with the motto enlarged on subsequent strikings. Far fewer of the Small Motto coins are seen today with full red color than of their Large Motto counterparts. Held back from an even higher grade only by light, scattered flyspecks, and uncommonly attractive even for the MS65 grade, this Large Motto Gem shows nearly full mint-red color. Both sides are intensely lustrous, with vivid crimson-orange color. All features show pinpoint striking definition, with with good detail to the highpoints. The lustrous and unabraded surfaces have no obtrusive contact marks, and only negligible carbon.
1862/1 3CS MS66. The left half of the 2 in the date has a faint but nearly complete 1. The underdigit is faint but clearly discernible with a magnifier. Bold die clash marks are evident on this scarce overdate variety, especially on most of the obverse shield within the III. Very sharply struck for a Type Three, this piece shows exceptionally pronounced evidence of die clashing, and that is saying a lot for a three cent silver as they are usually die clashed.
1862/1 3CS MS66. The left half of the 2 in the date has a faint but nearly complete 1. The underdigit is faint but clearly discernible with a magnifier. Bold die clash marks are evident on this scarce overdate variety, especially on most of the obverse shield within the III. Very sharply struck for a Type Three, this piece shows exceptionally pronounced evidence of die clashing, and that is saying a lot for a three cent silver as they are usually die clashed.
1862/1 3CS MS66. The left half of the 2 in the date has a faint but nearly complete 1. The underdigit is faint but clearly discernible with a magnifier. Bold die clash marks are evident on this scarce overdate variety, especially on most of the obverse shield within the III. Very sharply struck for a Type Three, this piece shows exceptionally pronounced evidence of die clashing, and that is saying a lot for a three cent silver as they are usually die clashed.
1882 5C MS66. Blazing luster is the hallmark of this exceptional, untoned Premium Gem. Spindly die cracks are noticeable on the obverse, as usual. A planchet flaw is observed on the upper obverse border, between D and W. Surface blemishes are nearly nonexistent. Population: 68 in 66, 4 finer (7/07).
1882 5C MS66. Blazing luster is the hallmark of this exceptional, untoned Premium Gem. Spindly die cracks are noticeable on the obverse, as usual. A planchet flaw is observed on the upper obverse border, between D and W. Surface blemishes are nearly nonexistent. Population: 68 in 66, 4 finer (7/07).
1883 No Cents MS66. Undoubtedly one of the most common type coins in all of U. S. numismatics, the 1883 No Cents nickel is easily located in all uncirculated grades, up to and including MS66. While it may be accurate to call the No Cents nickel a "common" coin, it is not often available and considering its status as a one-year type, it certainly is not overpriced in grades above MS65.
Blazing luster and light golden toning grace this unblemished Premium Gem. Well struck save for the usual blending on the left ear of corn.
Blazing luster and light golden toning grace this unblemished Premium Gem. Well struck save for the usual blending on the left ear of corn.
1913 5C Type 1, MS67. The 1913 Type One Buffalo nickel is always in great demand as a first-year-of-issue date and a one-year type coin. David Lange (2000) writes that: "The changeover to the Type 2 reverse was ordered on May 6, [1913] and coinage of the revised nickels commenced four days later." The present coin is a high-end example of this popular one-year type, strongly lustrous beneath pleasing gold and iridescent toning. Sharply struck and showing the rugged detail that makes the variety so prized, even LIBERTY and the obverse rim portray relatively nice detail, these features usually showing weakness on this issue. Each side has a pronounced matte-like texture, typical of all Type One nickels (David Lange, The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels). Noted sculptor James E. Fraser designed the Buffalo nickel. The first type, issued only in 1913, featured a textured field and a raised mound beneath the bison. Since the mound allowed the denomination to wear, it was recessed for the Type Two design, issued later in 1913. But the Mint neglected to recess the Indian's shoulder, where the date is, and well-circulated examples of either type are often dateless. This piece displays powder blue and light gold toning over vibrant luster, which combines with the finely granular surfaces to give each side a shimmering quality. The fields of all Type One Buffalo nickels, not just the proof coins, show the textured fields as on James Earle Fraser's original models, and therefore they give the coins' luster a "shimmering quality, particularly on unworn dies," according to Lange. In fact, "first strikes from unworn dies are easily mistaken for proofs and vice versa."
1937-D 5C Type 2, Three-Legged MS62. 3 Legs, and PQ for a 62. This is a nice one, on which the leg is graphically missing, yet the diagnostic marks below the buffalo are well pronounced.
1938-D 5C Type 2, MS67. David Lange (2000) writes that: "The changeover to the Type 2 reverse was ordered on May 6 [1913], and coinage of the revised nickels commenced four days later." A nearly flawless specimen, this splendid example from the last year of Buffalo nickel production has virtually no flaws or detractions visible to the naked eye. The strike is bold and sharp as is normally seen on this final year issue. Mostly brilliant with a silver-gray finish and magnificent champagne and rose toning, both sides offer vibrant luster and strong detail.
1835 H10C Small Date, Large 5C MS65. V-5, LM-8.2, R.2. Sun-gold toning is predominant, and the strike is excellent. The 1 in the date is high, and the tip of the feather is right of center of the 5 in the denomination. This late die state of this die marriage is more plentiful than the early die state.
1835 H10C Small Date, Large 5C MS65. V-5, LM-8.2, R.2. Sun-gold toning is predominant, and the strike is excellent. The 1 in the date is high, and the tip of the feather is right of center of the 5 in the denomination. This late die state of this die marriage is more plentiful than the early die state.
1835 H10C Small Date, Large 5C MS65. V-5, LM-8.2, R.2. Sun-gold toning is predominant, and the strike is excellent. The 1 in the date is high, and the tip of the feather is right of center of the 5 in the denomination. This late die state of this die marriage is more plentiful than the early die state.
1837 H10C Large Date (Curl Top 1) MS65. This is the variety with the numeral 8 tripled below. The digits 1, 3, and 7 are each doubled below. Both sides have frosty gold and ivory surfaces with intense luster. The No Stars obverse provides a glimpse at Christian Gobrecht's Seated Liberty design in its purest unencumbered form, free of extraneous details. From The Troy Wiseman Collection.
1837 H10C Large Date (Curl Top 1) MS65. This is the variety with the numeral 8 tripled below. The digits 1, 3, and 7 are each doubled below. Both sides have frosty gold and ivory surfaces with intense luster. The No Stars obverse provides a glimpse at Christian Gobrecht's Seated Liberty design in its purest unencumbered form, free of extraneous details. From The Troy Wiseman Collection.
1838 No Drapery MS65. Small Stars. V-1. "The 1838 Half Dime is found in two major varieties: Large Stars and Small Stars. Actually, the Small Stars variety started out as a Large Stars die that was subsequently ground down to remove clashmarks, thus reducing the apparent size of the stars." (Ron Guth). Described on the insert as a No Drapery piece with no mention of what appears to be the Small Stars feature, considerably scarcer than the Large Stars variety, especially in higher grades. This scarce Gem quality, first-year-type variety was created by drastically repolishing the obverse die to remove rust. But Liberty's arm is rusted, and many of the stars are attenuated from repeated, overzealous die polishing that was probably meant to lessen, if not remove the former feature. As a result, the stars were reduced in size. A considerably scarcer variety of this first year No Drapery type than the "normal" stars version, perhaps fewer than 10% of the uncirculated 1838 half dimes are the Small Stars design. V-1 specimens generally exhibit a strong strike with full head, toe and shield and the date boldly punched. Early strikes of the V-1 show a repunched first 8. The present example appears to be an early die state with the figure of Liberty only showing partial die rust, not "badly corroded" as Valentine stated. This coin seems to be an exceptionally sharp example of Al Blythe's Die State 2, with notable die rust on Liberty's arm and some doubling of the drastically lapped small stars. Later die states show die deterioration with a die crack from rim to head and Liberty’s right shoulder to the rim. The die state only refers to the obverse as the reverse is distinct from that used on examples of the V-2 die marriage. (The obverse die was used for both varieties.) The No Drapery, Stars Seated Half Dime was produced from 1838-1840. VARIETIES: V-1 with level date, centered. V-2 with low date running uphill toward base of rock. SCARCITY: V-2 far scarcer than V-1. Rarity Rating, V-1: G-VG R5, F-VF R5, EF-AU R6, MS R7.
1841 H10C MS67 V-2 Mintage: 50,000. The last 1 in the date is low and recut, and a small lunule appears between stars 10 and 11. Sharply struck, this is an extraordinarily well-preserved Superb Gem of this type, with full original luster and an exemplary strike, struck from moderately clashed dies. The surfaces emit a warm glow, with lightly toned, golden-rose centers and rich golden-brown, mauve and cobalt-blue peripheral colors about the rims. This second year of the Drapery sub-type is more available than its introductory 1840 counterpart, but relatively few pieces have been certified by PCGS in Mint State grades. Among half dime collectors the 1841 is considered a common date, but it certainly is uncommon in MS67 condition. VARIETIES: V-1 (Proof only). V-2 and V-3 represent variations of the date replacement. There is also a repunched date (RPD) variety with a repunched 1 at the top, and a reverse with heavy lettering designated V-4. The V-2 in late die states exhibits a significant die crack running diagonally from 2 to 7 o’clock. Evidencing not a hint of a crack, this piece would seem to be an example of a much earlier die state. The V-2 variety usually is strongly struck, other than minor weakness of dentils on the reverse, with a full head, shield and toe. The date and stars are boldly punched. The pendant lines up just right of the upright of the 4, and the shield points to the top of the 1.
1841 H10C MS67 V-2 Mintage: 50,000. The last 1 in the date is low and recut, and a small lunule appears between stars 10 and 11. Sharply struck, this is an extraordinarily well-preserved Superb Gem of this type, with full original luster and an exemplary strike, struck from moderately clashed dies. The surfaces emit a warm glow, with lightly toned, golden-rose centers and rich golden-brown, mauve and cobalt-blue peripheral colors about the rims. This second year of the Drapery sub-type is more available than its introductory 1840 counterpart, but relatively few pieces have been certified by PCGS in Mint State grades. Among half dime collectors the 1841 is considered a common date, but it certainly is uncommon in MS67 condition. VARIETIES: V-1 (Proof only). V-2 and V-3 represent variations of the date replacement. There is also a repunched date (RPD) variety with a repunched 1 at the top, and a reverse with heavy lettering designated V-4. The V-2 in late die states exhibits a significant die crack running diagonally from 2 to 7 o’clock. Evidencing not a hint of a crack, this piece would seem to be an example of a much earlier die state. The V-2 variety usually is strongly struck, other than minor weakness of dentils on the reverse, with a full head, shield and toe. The date and stars are boldly punched. The pendant lines up just right of the upright of the 4, and the shield points to the top of the 1.
1872-S H10C Mintmark Below MS66. The silver-gray surfaces of this Premium Gem are awash in mint luster. A nicely preserved coin that reflects a well executed strike.
1872-S H10C Mintmark Below MS66. The silver-gray surfaces of this Premium Gem are awash in mint luster. A nicely preserved coin that reflects a well executed strike.
1805 10C 4 Berries MS63 JR-2, R.2. The die crack through ERTY and star 8 and the eponymous reverse identify this instantly as an example of the JR-2 4 Berries, and this is a lovely example for the grade. While JR-2 is the more plentiful of the two known die marriages of the 1805 Draped Bust Dime, examples that have survived the passage of time with fully Mint State surfaces must be considered rare. The dimes of 1805 are known only by two die marriages that share a common obverse, with a small spine protruding from the top of the 5 in the date. The reverses show four or five olives on the olive branch clutched by the Heraldic Eagle, or berries as they are usually called, with the present 4 Berries reverse having narrow A's and leaves that are clear of the peripheral lettering. This coin shows appealing medium-gray and golden highlights on each side, with few relevant abrasions. The 1805 4 Berries will never be an uncommon die pairing, but both the 4 Berries and 5 Berries JR-1 are popular Guide Book varieties eagerly sought by collectors, and both are fairly available for a price into the lower Mint State grades. However, Select Uncirculated pieces are scarce and are sought after by both type collectors and Early Dime specialists. The 1805 JR-2 dime is the second most common Draped Bust variety behind the 1807, and both coins are ideal for collectors who want a single example of the draped bust, heraldic eagle design in type set collections. Obverse Die: The 1 nearly touches the lowest curl and the top of the 5 has a spine extending into the bust. LIB are close and BERTY are wide. Star 1 is far from the curl, star 7 is farther from L, star 8 is very close to the Y, and star 13 is close to the bust. State a. Perfect with no crack through ERTY. State b. Cracked from the rim through ERTY. Minor clash marks. State c. Cracked from the rim below star 13 into the bottom of the bust. The die is lapped, removing most of the clash marks. State d. Cracked from the rim between stars 9 and 10 into the bust, about one-third of the distance down from the base of the neck to the bottom of the bust. Reverse Die: Four berries in the branch. All letters in the legend are separated from each other and from the devices. AMER are extremely close together, with AM slightly higher than ER. The star pattern is unusual with two rows of six stars each, and a single star touching the back of the eagle's neck. Stars 1, 2, and 5, touch the clouds above. State a. Perfect. State b Minor die rust near D of UNITED.
1805 10C 4 Berries MS63 JR-2, R.2. The die crack through ERTY and star 8 and the eponymous reverse identify this instantly as an example of the JR-2 4 Berries, and this is a lovely example for the grade. While JR-2 is the more plentiful of the two known die marriages of the 1805 Draped Bust Dime, examples that have survived the passage of time with fully Mint State surfaces must be considered rare. The dimes of 1805 are known only by two die marriages that share a common obverse, with a small spine protruding from the top of the 5 in the date. The reverses show four or five olives on the olive branch clutched by the Heraldic Eagle, or berries as they are usually called, with the present 4 Berries reverse having narrow A's and leaves that are clear of the peripheral lettering. This coin shows appealing medium-gray and golden highlights on each side, with few relevant abrasions. The 1805 4 Berries will never be an uncommon die pairing, but both the 4 Berries and 5 Berries JR-1 are popular Guide Book varieties eagerly sought by collectors, and both are fairly available for a price into the lower Mint State grades. However, Select Uncirculated pieces are scarce and are sought after by both type collectors and Early Dime specialists. The 1805 JR-2 dime is the second most common Draped Bust variety behind the 1807, and both coins are ideal for collectors who want a single example of the draped bust, heraldic eagle design in type set collections. Obverse Die: The 1 nearly touches the lowest curl and the top of the 5 has a spine extending into the bust. LIB are close and BERTY are wide. Star 1 is far from the curl, star 7 is farther from L, star 8 is very close to the Y, and star 13 is close to the bust. State a. Perfect with no crack through ERTY. State b. Cracked from the rim through ERTY. Minor clash marks. State c. Cracked from the rim below star 13 into the bottom of the bust. The die is lapped, removing most of the clash marks. State d. Cracked from the rim between stars 9 and 10 into the bust, about one-third of the distance down from the base of the neck to the bottom of the bust. Reverse Die: Four berries in the branch. All letters in the legend are separated from each other and from the devices. AMER are extremely close together, with AM slightly higher than ER. The star pattern is unusual with two rows of six stars each, and a single star touching the back of the eagle's neck. Stars 1, 2, and 5, touch the clouds above. State a. Perfect. State b Minor die rust near D of UNITED.
1814 10C Large Date MS64. JR-3, R.2. The obverse has normal stars without repunching on stars 3, 4, and 5. This die variety is distinguishable by the low curl extending to the right edge of the second 1 in the date, and the lack of the period after the C of 10 C. Somewhat bluntly struck on the hair curls and stars to the right as usual; additional weakness appears on the stars to the left and on the eagle's claws. The dark surfaces are still lustrous, but beneath deep lilac and iridescent green toning. A relatively common variety with a number of Choice or Gem Mint State pieces known, and ideal for the type collector.
1814 10C Large Date MS64. JR-3, R.2. The obverse has normal stars without repunching on stars 3, 4, and 5. This die variety is distinguishable by the low curl extending to the right edge of the second 1 in the date, and the lack of the period after the C of 10 C. Somewhat bluntly struck on the hair curls and stars to the right as usual; additional weakness appears on the stars to the left and on the eagle's claws. The dark surfaces are still lustrous, but beneath deep lilac and iridescent green toning. A relatively common variety with a number of Choice or Gem Mint State pieces known, and ideal for the type collector.
1814 10C Large Date MS64. JR-3, R.2. The obverse has normal stars without repunching on stars 3, 4, and 5. This die variety is distinguishable by the low curl extending to the right edge of the second 1 in the date, and the lack of the period after the C of 10 C. Somewhat bluntly struck on the hair curls and stars to the right as usual; additional weakness appears on the stars to the left and on the eagle's claws. The dark surfaces are still lustrous, but beneath deep lilac and iridescent green toning. A relatively common variety with a number of Choice or Gem Mint State pieces known, and ideal for the type collector.
1823/2 10C Large Es MS64 JR-3, R.2. A fairly common variety and the most common 1823 Dime - all being overdates. The overdate feature is clear with a loupe, as the base of the 2 extends to the right of the 3, and the neck of the 2 is visible within the lower loop of the 3. Diagnostically, the D in UNITED is over a previously punched E, obverse star 7 points to the upper edge of Liberty's headband (not at her upper curl, as it does in the JR-2), and the E in STATES is higher than the second S. There is a prominent center dot directly beneath Liberty's ear. Intensely lustrous, both sides shimmer with a fully original, satin-white texture. There are blushes of pale-apricot tinting here and there around the obverse periphery, but the overall appearance is one of radiant brilliance. Well struck throughout, most areas are actually sharply impressed from the dies. Minimally abraded and nearly qualifying as an MS-65, Condition Census for both the 1832/2 JR-3 die marriage as well as the Large Es. This variety is scarce as a near-Gem, and just one piece is ranked higher, at MS65, by PCGS (10/07).
1823/2 10C Large Es MS64 JR-3, R.2. A fairly common variety and the most common 1823 Dime - all being overdates. The overdate feature is clear with a loupe, as the base of the 2 extends to the right of the 3, and the neck of the 2 is visible within the lower loop of the 3. Diagnostically, the D in UNITED is over a previously punched E, obverse star 7 points to the upper edge of Liberty's headband (not at her upper curl, as it does in the JR-2), and the E in STATES is higher than the second S. There is a prominent center dot directly beneath Liberty's ear. Intensely lustrous, both sides shimmer with a fully original, satin-white texture. There are blushes of pale-apricot tinting here and there around the obverse periphery, but the overall appearance is one of radiant brilliance. Well struck throughout, most areas are actually sharply impressed from the dies. Minimally abraded and nearly qualifying as an MS-65, Condition Census for both the 1832/2 JR-3 die marriage as well as the Large Es. This variety is scarce as a near-Gem, and just one piece is ranked higher, at MS65, by PCGS (10/07).
1835 10C MS64 PCGS. JR-9, R.2. A gloriously toned, Choice Uncirculated example of this popular dime, this is a well centered and sharply struck late-date, Capped Bust coin. It has an attractive periphery of sea-green and gold toning that has accumulated over the years and beautifully circles and frames the sharply impressed centers on each side. Fancy 8 in date, with diagnostic Large 3 in the date repunched southeast. The 5 is high and has a curved flag. The 10th star touches a denticle. On the reverse RI in AMERICA touch, the first A is high and the second T in STATES is entered low.
1835 10C MS64 PCGS. JR-9, R.2. A gloriously toned, Choice Uncirculated example of this popular dime, this is a well centered and sharply struck late-date, Capped Bust coin. It has an attractive periphery of sea-green and gold toning that has accumulated over the years and beautifully circles and frames the sharply impressed centers on each side. Fancy 8 in date, with diagnostic Large 3 in the date repunched southeast. The 5 is high and has a curved flag. The 10th star touches a denticle. On the reverse RI in AMERICA touch, the first A is high and the second T in STATES is entered low.
1837 10C Large Date MS64. Dripping with mint frost and displaying a sharp strike, just a few minor abrasions are noted in the fragile fields. Some deep golden border color is presented mostly on the obverse side. From the Gil Clark Collection.
1837 10C Large Date MS64. Dripping with mint frost and displaying a sharp strike, just a few minor abrasions are noted in the fragile fields. Some deep golden border color is presented mostly on the obverse side. From the Gil Clark Collection.
1853 10C Arrows MS65. A Gem example of this silver type, only minted during the years 1853-55 due to the revaluation of silver as a result of the immense hoards of newfound California gold. In the early 1850s, with an excessive quantity of gold in the financial markets, the value of silver increased to the point that the metal value of silver coins was greater than the face value. This led to hoarding and mass melting of these coins. To resolve the problem, legislation was passed by Congress to reduce the weight of the half dimes, dimes, quarters, and half dollars. When the weight of silver coins was reduced in 1853, it was designated by small arrowheads placed on either side of the date to alert the general populace of this weight reduction. This caused two things to occur: first, the old (heavier) coins were widely melted, and second, the new (lighter) coins were saved in relatively large numbers because of the noticeable design alteration. This piece is a superior Gem example of this popular and short-lived, first-year Arrows design. The surfaces are smooth, the strike is razor sharp, and the devices are sharply impressed throughout. There are no significant abrasions, and the luster is thick but slightly subdued under the patina. The surfaces are bursting with a swirling mixture of orange-gold, turquiose and pale lavender toning that permeates both sides and is well balanced on each side, and highlights the central devices with peripheral halos of color. Even though a few dozen Arrows dimes have been certified by the major grading services at higher levels, it would be hard to surpass the eye appeal of this outstanding type coin. This is a simply gorgeous Gem that will endear itself to anyone who appreciates colorful, originally toned coins. Although a high mintage issue, the Arrows, Stars Obverse was only coined for three years, and examples of this exceptional quality remain scarce.
1853 10C Arrows MS65. A Gem example of this silver type, only minted during the years 1853-55 due to the revaluation of silver as a result of the immense hoards of newfound California gold. In the early 1850s, with an excessive quantity of gold in the financial markets, the value of silver increased to the point that the metal value of silver coins was greater than the face value. This led to hoarding and mass melting of these coins. To resolve the problem, legislation was passed by Congress to reduce the weight of the half dimes, dimes, quarters, and half dollars. When the weight of silver coins was reduced in 1853, it was designated by small arrowheads placed on either side of the date to alert the general populace of this weight reduction. This caused two things to occur: first, the old (heavier) coins were widely melted, and second, the new (lighter) coins were saved in relatively large numbers because of the noticeable design alteration. This piece is a superior Gem example of this popular and short-lived, first-year Arrows design. The surfaces are smooth, the strike is razor sharp, and the devices are sharply impressed throughout. There are no significant abrasions, and the luster is thick but slightly subdued under the patina. The surfaces are bursting with a swirling mixture of orange-gold, turquiose and pale lavender toning that permeates both sides and is well balanced on each side, and highlights the central devices with peripheral halos of color. Even though a few dozen Arrows dimes have been certified by the major grading services at higher levels, it would be hard to surpass the eye appeal of this outstanding type coin. This is a simply gorgeous Gem that will endear itself to anyone who appreciates colorful, originally toned coins. Although a high mintage issue, the Arrows, Stars Obverse was only coined for three years, and examples of this exceptional quality remain scarce.
Low Mintage and Conditionally Scarce 1859 Seated Liberty Dime MS65. Just 430,000 Seated Dimes emerged from the Philadelphia Mint in 1859, and the issue is only considered common in grades below VF. A semi-prooflike Gem, both sides are noticeably reflective in the fields with some striations (as produced) evident on the obverse. Both sides are bright with minimal golden tinting and a sharp overall appearance. There are remarkably few distractions, as befits the technical grade that has been assigned.
1874 10C Arrows MS66. Light orange toning visits the primarily silver-white surfaces. This Premium Gem is lustrous and well struck, and both sides are splendidly unabraded. The second and final year of the Arrows, Legend Obverse subtype. Housed in a green label holder.
1874 10C Arrows MS66. Light orange toning visits the primarily silver-white surfaces. This Premium Gem is lustrous and well struck, and both sides are splendidly unabraded. The second and final year of the Arrows, Legend Obverse subtype. Housed in a green label holder.
An impressive Premium Gem, this lovely first-year Barber dime has bold and complete design elements. It is an original coin that is toned in deep iridescent shadings, well balanced on each side, with excellent underlying mint luster.
An impressive Premium Gem, this lovely first-year Barber dime has bold and complete design elements. It is an original coin that is toned in deep iridescent shadings, well balanced on each side, with excellent underlying mint luster.
1875-S 20C MS65. Although San Francisco struck more than 1.1 million twenty cent coins in 1875, the facility passed on production of the denomination in 1876, the only other year it was struck for circulation rather than collector sales. The Specie Redemption Act, passed on Jan. 14, 1875, mandated that as of Jan. 1, 1879, gold coins would be exchangeable at par with paper bills--for the first time since the end of 1861. This ensured that paper currency of one dollar or more would be backed by gold, and that the government would gradually reduce the number of "greenbacks" in circulation. Western silver miners, who had been increasing in wealth, power, and political influence in the 1870s, wanted more. The silver twenty cent piece was introduced in that same year, even though it was confusingly similar in size and design to the quarter (the Susan B. Anthony dollar was still far in the future). The brief production of the Twenty Cent piece seems rather predictable today. The ill-conceived denomination was a dismal failure in terms of practicality, being neither needed nor wanted. However little sense it makes to have a One Cent coin today, it made even less to push a Twenty Cent coin down the public's throat in the 1870s. Nevertheless, the expanding economy in the Far West was so strong during this period and the need for small silver coinage so great that even this albatross managed to circulate rather extensively. Still, the novelty of this first year issue and its comparatively high production of over 1.1 million pieces meant that a fair number were set aside for posterity, perhaps several thousand coins in total. The typical 1875-S in Mint State has been rather carelessly preserved or poorly produced, often displaying substandard luster and noticeable softness on the major design elements (particularly the eagle's left wingtip). As a result most fall into the MS62-63 grade range and it is unusual to find an example that surpasses the Choice level. This is a beautiful, richly toned Gem of this popular type coin from the generous first-year S-mint production (it is not a coincidence that most twenty cent pieces were made in the West, at both San Francisco and Carson City). The surfaces are simply excellent, with plenty of underlying luster. Light aquamarine and gold toning enriches this example, which is very well-struck save for a few right-side stars. The viewer immediately notices the thick mint frost on this piece, which is all the more remarkable considering the presence of the toning.
1828 25C MS62 B-4, R.3 as a business strike, R.7 as a proof. The Narrow Date, B-4 variety has less space between the 82, relative to B-1 through B-3. This specimen is a striking and rather proof-like example of this difficult early quarter type, richly toned in sea-green, plum-red, tan-gold and cobalt-blue. The final date in the Large Diameter series of Bust quarters, and unquestionably original with rich tonal qualities, the striking details are well brought up in all areas and both sides are perfectly centered. The definition of what constitutes a proof has become more strict within past decades. Only a handful of 1828 quarters have been certified as proofs. Speculating on the possibility of it being a proof, the fields do exhibit a noticeable glimmer when held beneath a light, but the effect is somewhat dampened by the layers of toning.
1828 25C MS62 B-4, R.3 as a business strike, R.7 as a proof. The Narrow Date, B-4 variety has less space between the 82, relative to B-1 through B-3. This specimen is a striking and rather proof-like example of this difficult early quarter type, richly toned in sea-green, plum-red, tan-gold and cobalt-blue. The final date in the Large Diameter series of Bust quarters, and unquestionably original with rich tonal qualities, the striking details are well brought up in all areas and both sides are perfectly centered. The definition of what constitutes a proof has become more strict within past decades. Only a handful of 1828 quarters have been certified as proofs. Speculating on the possibility of it being a proof, the fields do exhibit a noticeable glimmer when held beneath a light, but the effect is somewhat dampened by the layers of toning.
1831 25C Small Letters MS64. B-4, R.1. Minage: 398,000. No quarters were struck in 1829 or 1830, and when the denomination resumed production in 1831, the diameter was reduced from 27 mm to 24.3 mm. The weight and alloy were unchanged, which implies that the new quarters were thicker. Half eagles also were reduced in diameter, beginning in 1829, but otherwise retained prior alloy and weight standards. These changes in diameter were made to conform to the new close collar technology introduced to the Philadelphia Mint. However, Capped Bust halves, which then dominated silver coin production, continued to be struck with lettered edges until the 1836 Reeded Edge halves were produced. This is a lustrous and brilliant silver-white example of the Capped Bust quarter dollar design. Star 7 points to lower curl, the lower right star is close to the hair, square based 2 in the denomination, eagle has long tongue, 25 C closer to eagle than dentils, 25 is high and the arrow heads are thin. There are remnants of die rust above and left of the final S in STATES. This is a later die state of the B-4 variety with a fine die crack through the C of the denomination to the stem above, and another connecting the lower left base of the A in AMERICA with the middle serif of F in OF. Repunching shows on the 5 of the denomination. This is Die State III in Walter Breen's revision of the Browning reference, apparently the most common die state of this variety. Only the barest glimpse of a golden patina accompanies this needle-sharp near-Gem. The strike is exquisite and a strong lens reveals only trivial contact. A wonderful type coin from the Age of Jackson from The Lanterman's Mill Collection.
1831 25C Small Letters MS64. B-4, R.1. Minage: 398,000. No quarters were struck in 1829 or 1830, and when the denomination resumed production in 1831, the diameter was reduced from 27 mm to 24.3 mm. The weight and alloy were unchanged, which implies that the new quarters were thicker. Half eagles also were reduced in diameter, beginning in 1829, but otherwise retained prior alloy and weight standards. These changes in diameter were made to conform to the new close collar technology introduced to the Philadelphia Mint. However, Capped Bust halves, which then dominated silver coin production, continued to be struck with lettered edges until the 1836 Reeded Edge halves were produced. This is a lustrous and brilliant silver-white example of the Capped Bust quarter dollar design. Star 7 points to lower curl, the lower right star is close to the hair, square based 2 in the denomination, eagle has long tongue, 25 C closer to eagle than dentils, 25 is high and the arrow heads are thin. There are remnants of die rust above and left of the final S in STATES. This is a later die state of the B-4 variety with a fine die crack through the C of the denomination to the stem above, and another connecting the lower left base of the A in AMERICA with the middle serif of F in OF. Repunching shows on the 5 of the denomination. This is Die State III in Walter Breen's revision of the Browning reference, apparently the most common die state of this variety. Only the barest glimpse of a golden patina accompanies this needle-sharp near-Gem. The strike is exquisite and a strong lens reveals only trivial contact. A wonderful type coin from the Age of Jackson from The Lanterman's Mill Collection.
Lustrous and Attractively Toned MS64 1839 No Drapery Quarter. Closed Claws Reverse. (The 1839 No Drapery is found both with the Closed Claws reverse of 1838, and the Open Claws reverse of 1839.) The device punches for what would become the Seated Liberty Quarter were completed by Christian Gobrecht during the summer of 1838. After 20 "specimens" were sent to Treasury Secretary Levi Woodbury, regular production commenced on September 29. The Philadelphia Mint produced at least 466,000 examples this year, all of which, like their 1839 and 1840-O No Drapery counterparts, lacked obverse drapery folds at Liberty's right (facing) elbow. All three of these issues are scarce in problem-free Uncirculated preservation, and what few coins have been certified at the upper reaches of the Mint State grading scale are usually snatched up quickly by type collectors when they appear on the market. Writing in 1991, Larry Briggs says of this issue: "Head, stars, and obverse dentils are poorly struck." Many examples of this issue are poorly struck, and this piece shows noticeable softness on the upper obverse and the right (facing) quadrant, and correspondingly on the lower reverse. The delectable original toning, in shades of silver-pink and electric blue, compensates somewhat, and there are few signs of contact. Seldom seen finer. From The Palakika Collection.
1854 25C Arrows MS64. Delicate straw-gold patina graces this lustrous and intricately struck near-Gem. The few minor luster grazes are expected of the grade. High quality examples of the 1854 are always in demand as representatives of the briefly produced Arrows, No Rays, No Motto type.
1858 25C MS65. The high mintage figures for Seated quarters inaugurated by the Mint Act of February 21, 1853 continued at the Philadelphia Mint through 1858. Arrows were removed from the design in 1856 after a three-year run, although they would briefly return in 1873. Although there was no longer a need for a distinguishing feature on the obverse or reverse of the Seated Quarter, mintage figures remained high at the Philadelphia mint from 1856 through 1861. The 1857 boasts the highest total in this group with more than 9.6 million pieces delivered. As such, it is a popular representative of the No Motto type in all grades. The high mintage 1858 Quarter is also one of the few issues of the No Motto type that can occasionally be found at the Gem level. From a large mintage of 7.3 million pieces, the 1858 Seated Liberty quarter is also a popular choice for type collectors seeking a No Motto representative. However, examples are seldom encountered at the Gem level of preservation. The present coin is a magnificent Gem, with pristine, brilliant surfaces and vibrant, frosty mint luster. Both sides are sharply defined by a razor-sharp strike, including the obverse stars and the eagle's neck feathers. The incredible visual appeal of this specimen is off the chart. Richly frosted and undeniably smooth, this coin is crisply detailed in all areas.
1877 25C MS66. Type Two Reverse. The 1877 Seated Liberty quarter is more difficult to locate than the mintage of nearly 11 million pieces would suggest. Many examples were melted in 1878 to provide silver bullion for Morgan dollars. The present coin is a well-struck Premium Gem, with lustrous surfaces and gold and violet highlights. The reverse displays extensive die cracks and clash marks.
1877 25C MS66. Type Two Reverse. The 1877 Seated Liberty quarter is more difficult to locate than the mintage of nearly 11 million pieces would suggest. Many examples were melted in 1878 to provide silver bullion for Morgan dollars. The present coin is a well-struck Premium Gem, with lustrous surfaces and gold and violet highlights. The reverse displays extensive die cracks and clash marks.
1892 25C MS66. Mintage: 8,237,245. An impressive Gem with warm golden gray centers that give way to intense gold, violet, crimson, carmine, and other vibrant hues too numerous to mention. Sharply struck from a Type II reverse die with the eagle's right wing covering all but the serif of the E in UNITED. The difference between Type I and Type II quarters can be easily remembered by the mnemonic device "Now you see it, now you don't." On Type Ones, the middle serif of the E in UNITED is about halfway visible, while on Type Two quarters, the eagle's wing covers it.
1892 25C MS66. Mintage: 8,237,245. An impressive Gem with warm golden gray centers that give way to intense gold, violet, crimson, carmine, and other vibrant hues too numerous to mention. Sharply struck from a Type II reverse die with the eagle's right wing covering all but the serif of the E in UNITED. The difference between Type I and Type II quarters can be easily remembered by the mnemonic device "Now you see it, now you don't." On Type Ones, the middle serif of the E in UNITED is about halfway visible, while on Type Two quarters, the eagle's wing covers it.
1913-S 25C MS65. By the time 1913 came around, collector awareness of mintmarks and low-mintage dates had risen considerably from the turn of the century, and so the 40,000 pieces that made up the 1913-S quarter issue were saved in quantity by contemporary numismatists and speculators. Still, the issue is conditionally rare in Gem and better grades. This MS65 survivor is attractively lustrous with pale gold and blue patina over light silver-gray surfaces. Both the central devices and the peripheral stars are pleasingly detailed.
1913-S 25C MS65. By the time 1913 came around, collector awareness of mintmarks and low-mintage dates had risen considerably from the turn of the century, and so the 40,000 pieces that made up the 1913-S quarter issue were saved in quantity by contemporary numismatists and speculators. Still, the issue is conditionally rare in Gem and better grades. This MS65 survivor is attractively lustrous with pale gold and blue patina over light silver-gray surfaces. Both the central devices and the peripheral stars are pleasingly detailed.
Full luster & rivets, slight friction on knee, PQ–. This 1916 quarter, struck in a transitional year, is one of the most famous 20th century silver rarities, with only 52,000 pieces minted. Few examples (in absolute terms) were set aside at the time of issue, making it a seldom-encountered date in all grades. However, because of the high prices the issue commands in all grades it is generally available in major auctions, which makes it seem more available than it really is. Much of the speculation about the redesign of the Type One Standing Liberty quarter centers around the alleged "indecency" of the exposed breast of Liberty, speculation that persists today. Novice historians (including Walter Breen) tended to overstate the role of the Society for the Suppression of Vice in the redesign process. In reality, someone with considerably more political clout was responsible for the design change. On April 16, 1917, Treasury Secretary William G. McAdoo wrote to Representative William Ashbrook of Ohio to protest the Type One quarter design. On April 30, Ashbrook introduced McAdoo's bill before Congress. The document called upon the Mint to modify the original design by increasing the concavity of the fields and repositioning the eagle with relation to the stars. To support this legislation, McAdoo asserted (erroneously) that the Type One coins would not stack properly. This proposal became Public Law 27 on July 9, 1917 and specified that no major changes be made to the design other than those specifically stated. Since the approved modifications would have had a definite effect on the stacking qualities of the quarters, why did the Mint circumvent the law and further modify MacNeil's original design? While many numismatists see the jealous hand of Chief Engraver Barber at work, the real culprit was actually McAdoo himself, who had married President Woodrow Wilson's daughter in 1914. Through this familial alliance, as well as his position as Secretary of the Treasury, McAdoo hoped to springboard himself into the White House after Wilson stepped down. However trivial the complaints from the Society for the Suppression of Vice may have seemed to many Americans, an aspiring politician such as McAdoo could not afford to ignore them. Accordingly, the Treasury Secretary fabricated the charge of improper stacking to mask his real intentions. While the Mint did carry out the authorized modifications, it also significantly altered the basic design by using a chain mail vest to cover Liberty's exposed breast. The Treasury Department did not even attempt to modify Public Law 27 to reflect the change, but it did enter into the Congressional Record the fact that McAdoo did not like the Type One design--the only statement of truth in the entire process. While McAdoo's presidential hopes were dashed in the elections of both 1920 and 1924, the illegal changes he ordered for the Standing Liberty quarter remained in use until the design was retired in 1930.
Full luster & rivets, slight friction on knee, PQ–. This 1916 quarter, struck in a transitional year, is one of the most famous 20th century silver rarities, with only 52,000 pieces minted. Few examples (in absolute terms) were set aside at the time of issue, making it a seldom-encountered date in all grades. However, because of the high prices the issue commands in all grades it is generally available in major auctions, which makes it seem more available than it really is. Much of the speculation about the redesign of the Type One Standing Liberty quarter centers around the alleged "indecency" of the exposed breast of Liberty, speculation that persists today. Novice historians (including Walter Breen) tended to overstate the role of the Society for the Suppression of Vice in the redesign process. In reality, someone with considerably more political clout was responsible for the design change. On April 16, 1917, Treasury Secretary William G. McAdoo wrote to Representative William Ashbrook of Ohio to protest the Type One quarter design. On April 30, Ashbrook introduced McAdoo's bill before Congress. The document called upon the Mint to modify the original design by increasing the concavity of the fields and repositioning the eagle with relation to the stars. To support this legislation, McAdoo asserted (erroneously) that the Type One coins would not stack properly. This proposal became Public Law 27 on July 9, 1917 and specified that no major changes be made to the design other than those specifically stated. Since the approved modifications would have had a definite effect on the stacking qualities of the quarters, why did the Mint circumvent the law and further modify MacNeil's original design? While many numismatists see the jealous hand of Chief Engraver Barber at work, the real culprit was actually McAdoo himself, who had married President Woodrow Wilson's daughter in 1914. Through this familial alliance, as well as his position as Secretary of the Treasury, McAdoo hoped to springboard himself into the White House after Wilson stepped down. However trivial the complaints from the Society for the Suppression of Vice may have seemed to many Americans, an aspiring politician such as McAdoo could not afford to ignore them. Accordingly, the Treasury Secretary fabricated the charge of improper stacking to mask his real intentions. While the Mint did carry out the authorized modifications, it also significantly altered the basic design by using a chain mail vest to cover Liberty's exposed breast. The Treasury Department did not even attempt to modify Public Law 27 to reflect the change, but it did enter into the Congressional Record the fact that McAdoo did not like the Type One design--the only statement of truth in the entire process. While McAdoo's presidential hopes were dashed in the elections of both 1920 and 1924, the illegal changes he ordered for the Standing Liberty quarter remained in use until the design was retired in 1930.
Full luster & rivets, slight friction on knee, PQ–. This 1916 quarter, struck in a transitional year, is one of the most famous 20th century silver rarities, with only 52,000 pieces minted. Few examples (in absolute terms) were set aside at the time of issue, making it a seldom-encountered date in all grades. However, because of the high prices the issue commands in all grades it is generally available in major auctions, which makes it seem more available than it really is. Much of the speculation about the redesign of the Type One Standing Liberty quarter centers around the alleged "indecency" of the exposed breast of Liberty, speculation that persists today. Novice historians (including Walter Breen) tended to overstate the role of the Society for the Suppression of Vice in the redesign process. In reality, someone with considerably more political clout was responsible for the design change. On April 16, 1917, Treasury Secretary William G. McAdoo wrote to Representative William Ashbrook of Ohio to protest the Type One quarter design. On April 30, Ashbrook introduced McAdoo's bill before Congress. The document called upon the Mint to modify the original design by increasing the concavity of the fields and repositioning the eagle with relation to the stars. To support this legislation, McAdoo asserted (erroneously) that the Type One coins would not stack properly. This proposal became Public Law 27 on July 9, 1917 and specified that no major changes be made to the design other than those specifically stated. Since the approved modifications would have had a definite effect on the stacking qualities of the quarters, why did the Mint circumvent the law and further modify MacNeil's original design? While many numismatists see the jealous hand of Chief Engraver Barber at work, the real culprit was actually McAdoo himself, who had married President Woodrow Wilson's daughter in 1914. Through this familial alliance, as well as his position as Secretary of the Treasury, McAdoo hoped to springboard himself into the White House after Wilson stepped down. However trivial the complaints from the Society for the Suppression of Vice may have seemed to many Americans, an aspiring politician such as McAdoo could not afford to ignore them. Accordingly, the Treasury Secretary fabricated the charge of improper stacking to mask his real intentions. While the Mint did carry out the authorized modifications, it also significantly altered the basic design by using a chain mail vest to cover Liberty's exposed breast. The Treasury Department did not even attempt to modify Public Law 27 to reflect the change, but it did enter into the Congressional Record the fact that McAdoo did not like the Type One design--the only statement of truth in the entire process. While McAdoo's presidential hopes were dashed in the elections of both 1920 and 1924, the illegal changes he ordered for the Standing Liberty quarter remained in use until the design was retired in 1930.
1917-D 25C Type 1 MS66 Full Head, Mintage: 1,509,200. Hermon Atkins MacNeil's Standing Liberty is one of the most beautiful designs ever to grace a U.S. quarter. The issues of 1916 and the first half of 1917 display Liberty with an exposed breast. For years, collectors have accepted Breen's story that the Society for the Suppression of Vice forced the modification of the original Standing Liberty quarter design on grounds of obscenity. While the society certainly voiced its opinion and exercised its political muscle, Treasury Secretary William G. McAdoo was the real driving force behind the introduction of the Type Two design in 1917. Fearing public criticism, McAdoo ordered the design change to preserve his own political ambitions. His presidential aspirations were, however, dashed in the elections of 1918 and 1924. The present coin is a brilliant, frosty example of one of the beautiful, underrated and short-lived Type-One-mintmarked Standing Liberty quarters. The D-mint 1917 Type One quarter sells for approximately twice as much as its P-mint counterpart, yet it is three to five times scarcer. The 1917-D Type One is not a rare coin in an absolute sense but, being a branch mint issue, is it not surprising that examples are a bit more elusive than those of the 1917 Type One production. This disparity widens as one progresses up the grading scale. Although not as common as its P-mint counterpart, the 1917-D Type One is still a popular issue for Gem quality type purposes. Once the early troubles were worked out with the modest number of pieces struck in 1916, the Type One design yielded consistently excellent strikes. As with many high grade survivors, pinpoint detailing embodies all the design elements of the present example of this first-year Denver issue. This is an uncommonly well-defined coin for the series, going beyond full definition of Liberty's head and gown lines. Fully struck on all the design features, the detail is superb not only of Liberty's head and gown, but there is also unusually sharp definition of the small feathers on the eagle's breast, and on the ear, neck, and throat of Liberty. There is a sharp line separating the hair, and the horizontal and vertical shield lines are fully brought up as well. Extremely appealing with intense mint luster and no mentionable distractions of any sort, the silver-white untoned surfaces display a characteristic matte-like texture, although with greater radiance than is normally seen. This is a truly amazing Standing Liberty quarter regardless of date. The striking details are especially notable and brilliant throughout, the surfaces exude a thick mint frost that rolls around each side unimpeded by the post-striking defects one would expect on a lower graded coin.
1917-D 25C Type 1 MS66 Full Head, Mintage: 1,509,200. Hermon Atkins MacNeil's Standing Liberty is one of the most beautiful designs ever to grace a U.S. quarter. The issues of 1916 and the first half of 1917 display Liberty with an exposed breast. For years, collectors have accepted Breen's story that the Society for the Suppression of Vice forced the modification of the original Standing Liberty quarter design on grounds of obscenity. While the society certainly voiced its opinion and exercised its political muscle, Treasury Secretary William G. McAdoo was the real driving force behind the introduction of the Type Two design in 1917. Fearing public criticism, McAdoo ordered the design change to preserve his own political ambitions. His presidential aspirations were, however, dashed in the elections of 1918 and 1924. The present coin is a brilliant, frosty example of one of the beautiful, underrated and short-lived Type-One-mintmarked Standing Liberty quarters. The D-mint 1917 Type One quarter sells for approximately twice as much as its P-mint counterpart, yet it is three to five times scarcer. The 1917-D Type One is not a rare coin in an absolute sense but, being a branch mint issue, is it not surprising that examples are a bit more elusive than those of the 1917 Type One production. This disparity widens as one progresses up the grading scale. Although not as common as its P-mint counterpart, the 1917-D Type One is still a popular issue for Gem quality type purposes. Once the early troubles were worked out with the modest number of pieces struck in 1916, the Type One design yielded consistently excellent strikes. As with many high grade survivors, pinpoint detailing embodies all the design elements of the present example of this first-year Denver issue. This is an uncommonly well-defined coin for the series, going beyond full definition of Liberty's head and gown lines. Fully struck on all the design features, the detail is superb not only of Liberty's head and gown, but there is also unusually sharp definition of the small feathers on the eagle's breast, and on the ear, neck, and throat of Liberty. There is a sharp line separating the hair, and the horizontal and vertical shield lines are fully brought up as well. Extremely appealing with intense mint luster and no mentionable distractions of any sort, the silver-white untoned surfaces display a characteristic matte-like texture, although with greater radiance than is normally seen. This is a truly amazing Standing Liberty quarter regardless of date. The striking details are especially notable and brilliant throughout, the surfaces exude a thick mint frost that rolls around each side unimpeded by the post-striking defects one would expect on a lower graded coin.
1917 25C Type 2 MS67 Full Head, Mintage: 13,880,000. Partway through the year, the design of this coin type was modified with the revision labeled Type Two. Liberty no longer had an exposed breast, and three small stars were added to the reverse field below the eagle. Viewed through the macro lens of world history, the design of the Standing Liberty quarter is both ironic and prophetic. Although a few of the key-date 1916 issues were coined, only in early 1917 did the design become widely available. Liberty correctly holds the olive branch of peace in her right (left facing) hand, and in her left she holds a shield of protection and defense, from which she has removed its covering sheath. On the reverse, the eagle flies incorrectly (according to heraldic tradition) to its left, its less-honorable side. Of course 1917 was also the year that the United States entered World War I, after striving for years to maintain a position of neutrality. The present Gem example of this popular type coin has brilliant, untoned surfaces. The bold impression does not wane over either Liberty's head, the shield rivets, or the gown lines. Liberty's head boasts three full leaf sprigs and a clear ear hole. The shield lacks not even a single rivet, with full definition on the horizontal lines. On the reverse, the eagle's breast also displays pleasing overall definition. The sparkling mint frost imparts a silver-white appearance.
1917 25C Type 2 MS67 Full Head, Mintage: 13,880,000. Partway through the year, the design of this coin type was modified with the revision labeled Type Two. Liberty no longer had an exposed breast, and three small stars were added to the reverse field below the eagle. Viewed through the macro lens of world history, the design of the Standing Liberty quarter is both ironic and prophetic. Although a few of the key-date 1916 issues were coined, only in early 1917 did the design become widely available. Liberty correctly holds the olive branch of peace in her right (left facing) hand, and in her left she holds a shield of protection and defense, from which she has removed its covering sheath. On the reverse, the eagle flies incorrectly (according to heraldic tradition) to its left, its less-honorable side. Of course 1917 was also the year that the United States entered World War I, after striving for years to maintain a position of neutrality. The present Gem example of this popular type coin has brilliant, untoned surfaces. The bold impression does not wane over either Liberty's head, the shield rivets, or the gown lines. Liberty's head boasts three full leaf sprigs and a clear ear hole. The shield lacks not even a single rivet, with full definition on the horizontal lines. On the reverse, the eagle's breast also displays pleasing overall definition. The sparkling mint frost imparts a silver-white appearance.
1917 25C Type 2 MS67 Full Head, Mintage: 13,880,000. Partway through the year, the design of this coin type was modified with the revision labeled Type Two. Liberty no longer had an exposed breast, and three small stars were added to the reverse field below the eagle. Viewed through the macro lens of world history, the design of the Standing Liberty quarter is both ironic and prophetic. Although a few of the key-date 1916 issues were coined, only in early 1917 did the design become widely available. Liberty correctly holds the olive branch of peace in her right (left facing) hand, and in her left she holds a shield of protection and defense, from which she has removed its covering sheath. On the reverse, the eagle flies incorrectly (according to heraldic tradition) to its left, its less-honorable side. Of course 1917 was also the year that the United States entered World War I, after striving for years to maintain a position of neutrality. The present Gem example of this popular type coin has brilliant, untoned surfaces. The bold impression does not wane over either Liberty's head, the shield rivets, or the gown lines. Liberty's head boasts three full leaf sprigs and a clear ear hole. The shield lacks not even a single rivet, with full definition on the horizontal lines. On the reverse, the eagle's breast also displays pleasing overall definition. The sparkling mint frost imparts a silver-white appearance.
1958 25C MS66. John Flanagan owes his numismatic fame less to artistic merit than to the fact that he was a man in the man's world of the early 20th century. In 1931, the Treasury Department decided to follow in the footsteps of the Lincoln cent and issue a circulating coin honoring the bicentennial of President George Washington's birth. After an open competition that the Treasury conducted in association with the Washington Bicentennial Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, judges chose Laura Gardin Fraser's masterful design. Even though art critics had admired Fraser's work since the introduction of the Oregon Trail commemorative half dollar in 1926, Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon's male chauvinism prejudiced the design selection process from the start. His choice, the design by John Flanagan, was confirmed as the winner and upheld even after Ogden L. Mills succeeded to the post of Treasury Secretary in early 1932. While Fraser's superior design remains unknown to all but a handful of numismatic scholars, Flanagan's obviously inferior workmanship can still be admired (albeit in slightly modified form for the state quarter program) on the quarters of today. This piece is a beautiful Superb Gem whose fully lustrous surfaces display pastel antique-gold and soft powder-blue iridescence drifting over the shimmering obverse. The reverse is untoned save for a crescent of tan-russet color near the rim between 9 and 3 o'clock. The underlying mint frost radiates through both sides and both sides are free of even the most inconspicuous bagmark. The design features are well impressed and the above average striking quality completes the tantalizing eye appeal.
1958 25C MS66. John Flanagan owes his numismatic fame less to artistic merit than to the fact that he was a man in the man's world of the early 20th century. In 1931, the Treasury Department decided to follow in the footsteps of the Lincoln cent and issue a circulating coin honoring the bicentennial of President George Washington's birth. After an open competition that the Treasury conducted in association with the Washington Bicentennial Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, judges chose Laura Gardin Fraser's masterful design. Even though art critics had admired Fraser's work since the introduction of the Oregon Trail commemorative half dollar in 1926, Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon's male chauvinism prejudiced the design selection process from the start. His choice, the design by John Flanagan, was confirmed as the winner and upheld even after Ogden L. Mills succeeded to the post of Treasury Secretary in early 1932. While Fraser's superior design remains unknown to all but a handful of numismatic scholars, Flanagan's obviously inferior workmanship can still be admired (albeit in slightly modified form for the state quarter program) on the quarters of today. This piece is a beautiful Superb Gem whose fully lustrous surfaces display pastel antique-gold and soft powder-blue iridescence drifting over the shimmering obverse. The reverse is untoned save for a crescent of tan-russet color near the rim between 9 and 3 o'clock. The underlying mint frost radiates through both sides and both sides are free of even the most inconspicuous bagmark. The design features are well impressed and the above average striking quality completes the tantalizing eye appeal.
1795 50C 2 Leaves AU55. O-102, R.4. This piece is an intermediate die state, the obverse meeting Overton's requirements for O-102a and the reverse perfect as an O-102. It is also one of the finest known examples of the die marriage. In the fourth edition of Overton, Don Parsley recorded the Condition Census as 55, 45, 40, 30, 30. The finest examples to appear in recent auctions (and the only AU grade coins) are an AU55 ANACS piece that Heritage sold in November 2003 and an uncertified AU50 sold by Stack's in May 2001. Each side has a few minor scuffs and abrasions, but the overall eye appeal of this example is excellent. Satiny pale gray surfaces exhibit sharp design features with nearly full luster, accented by delightful gold and iridescent toning.
1795 50C 2 Leaves AU55. O-102, R.4. This piece is an intermediate die state, the obverse meeting Overton's requirements for O-102a and the reverse perfect as an O-102. It is also one of the finest known examples of the die marriage. In the fourth edition of Overton, Don Parsley recorded the Condition Census as 55, 45, 40, 30, 30. The finest examples to appear in recent auctions (and the only AU grade coins) are an AU55 ANACS piece that Heritage sold in November 2003 and an uncertified AU50 sold by Stack's in May 2001. Each side has a few minor scuffs and abrasions, but the overall eye appeal of this example is excellent. Satiny pale gray surfaces exhibit sharp design features with nearly full luster, accented by delightful gold and iridescent toning.
O-102 Low R.6. The rarest regular-issue US silver coinage design and solid for the grade. The Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollar is one of the most difficult type coins to obtain, arguably the most difficult silver type coin, but not as rare as the 1796 No Stars quarter eagle or the 1808 quarter eagle. These half dollars, bearing the dates 1796 or 1797, come from a paltry mintage of 3,918 pieces, about 250 of which have survived the ravages of time. Half dollars of 1796-1797 are one of the rarest U.S. type coins and certainly one of the most expensive in virtually all levels of preservation. Even the most advanced collections often lack this rarity, and when present, it is usually in the low to middle grade levels, as here, and/or impaired, unlike this original, problem-free piece. There are four varieties of Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollar. The first 1796 variety (Overton-101) displays 15 obverse stars, while the second has 16 stars (O-102). The two 1797-dated varieties (O-101 and O-102) share the same obverse but have different reverses, differentiated by the alignment of the peripheral lettering in relation to the central devices. The reverse of the 1797 Overton-101 variety was originally paired with the 1796 15 stars and 1796 16 stars obverses. During its use with the latter obverse, the reverse die developed a crack from the tip of the palm leaf below the base of the F in OF through the right side of O to the milling. This reverse developed even more cracks shortly after it was paired with the 1797 obverse die (O-101) and soon began to break up (O-101a). The breakup of the reverse die used in the 1797 Overton 101 and 101a varieties resulted in the employment of a new reverse die. The O-102 reverse differs from the old reverse in that the peripheral lettering is slightly offset in relation to the wreath.
1801 50C VF30. O-102, High R.4. Slightly more than four years lapsed from the last delivery of half dollars in 1797 (May 26), until the first delivery in 1801 (August 14). The obverse remained the same as the 1796-1797 Fillet Head design, but the reverse was an entirely new design. It has traditionally been attributed to Robert Scot, and the Heraldic Eagle reverse was first used on 1796 quarter eagles (1795 Heraldic Eagle half eagles were not coined until 1798). When half dollar coinage resumed in 1801 for the first time since the fabulously rare 1796-97 coinage, the total production was a meager 30,289 coins for the year. This coin is a representative of the less common of two die pairs for this rare date, with a normal set of arrowheads on the reverse. Only two varieties are dated 1801, both of which share a common obverse die, but the reverses are promptly distinguished by checking for prominent die lumps near the arrowheads. They are present on O-101 but absent on the elusive O-102. The combination of a Draped Bust obverse and Small Eagle reverse appeared on the half dollars of 1796 and 1797. In 1801 the Mint again struck examples of the denomination, this time with the new Heraldic Eagle reverse design that was patterned after the Great Seal of the United States. Survivors are mostly in lower grades. The average certified grade is in the VF range. The present piece is the more scarce variety, and 1801 is the first and most elusive date of the Heraldic Eagle type half dollar. This example displays an attractive reddish-gray and green patina. Although the stars are flat, the devices have bold detail. E PLURIBUS UNUM is clear and the obverse has numerous adjustment marks at the base. The two reverse dies for the year are distinguished by the presence or lack of a large 'tail' on the R in LIBERTY. The O-101, which has the tail, is somewhat less scarce. As mentioned above, the O-101 variety features two die lumps (as struck) on the lower left reverse quadrant near the arrowheads, which also identifies the die marriage.
1801 50C VF30. O-102, High R.4. Slightly more than four years lapsed from the last delivery of half dollars in 1797 (May 26), until the first delivery in 1801 (August 14). The obverse remained the same as the 1796-1797 Fillet Head design, but the reverse was an entirely new design. It has traditionally been attributed to Robert Scot, and the Heraldic Eagle reverse was first used on 1796 quarter eagles (1795 Heraldic Eagle half eagles were not coined until 1798). When half dollar coinage resumed in 1801 for the first time since the fabulously rare 1796-97 coinage, the total production was a meager 30,289 coins for the year. This coin is a representative of the less common of two die pairs for this rare date, with a normal set of arrowheads on the reverse. Only two varieties are dated 1801, both of which share a common obverse die, but the reverses are promptly distinguished by checking for prominent die lumps near the arrowheads. They are present on O-101 but absent on the elusive O-102. The combination of a Draped Bust obverse and Small Eagle reverse appeared on the half dollars of 1796 and 1797. In 1801 the Mint again struck examples of the denomination, this time with the new Heraldic Eagle reverse design that was patterned after the Great Seal of the United States. Survivors are mostly in lower grades. The average certified grade is in the VF range. The present piece is the more scarce variety, and 1801 is the first and most elusive date of the Heraldic Eagle type half dollar. This example displays an attractive reddish-gray and green patina. Although the stars are flat, the devices have bold detail. E PLURIBUS UNUM is clear and the obverse has numerous adjustment marks at the base. The two reverse dies for the year are distinguished by the presence or lack of a large 'tail' on the R in LIBERTY. The O-101, which has the tail, is somewhat less scarce. As mentioned above, the O-101 variety features two die lumps (as struck) on the lower left reverse quadrant near the arrowheads, which also identifies the die marriage.
O-101, R.3. Toned with lovely deep peripheral blue which extends beyond the obverse stars and reverse legend to the rim. A similar number of 1802 halves were struck when compared to the 1801: 29,890 pieces compared to 30,289 of the 1801. But for a series with so many die varieties and even sub-varieties, the 1802 half dollar mintage is a lesson in contradiction, as the 29,890 pieces recorded struck were produced from a single die pair. There are no others known for the date, and after 200+ years it is highly unlikely, although not impossible, that any others will be found. The year 1827 holds the series record for the greatest number of die marriages. The 28 obverse dies and 34 reverse dies were married in 49 different combinations to produce the 5.5 million pieces for the year, for an average of more than 112,000 halves per pair. In the case of the 1802, then, it is little wonder that the Mint personnel even saw fit to reuse master dies from 1801 to produce the working dies for 1802: After all, that mintage amounted to only one-quarter of the average mintage for a single die pair in 1827. The 1802 also bears the distinction of being the only Draped Bust half that is a single-variety year. (The 1815, a Capped Bust design, is a single-variety year as well.) While the reasons for the relatively small mintage are lost to posterity, it bears mentioning that the other silver denominations produced during the year, the half dime and dime, are also small by series standards, with the half dime a legendary rarity. (The difference, of course, is that most yearly mintages of the early half dime and dime were on the smallish side, while the silver half dollar, along with the large cent and gold half eagle, was one of the three workhorse coinage denominations of early U.S. commerce.) Mint State coins of this issue are quite rare. Only two Mint State pieces have been recorded in recent auction appearances, so there is considerable pressure on the dozen or so AU coins that have made the rounds in recent auctions. This piece apparently falls just outside the traditional Condition Census of the top six examples, with at least half a dozen finer examples known. The design elements on the present coin are sharply defined, though the star centers along the left border are weak. Attractive cobalt-blue, lavender, and gold-brown patina is evident on the obverse periphery, and lesser so on the reverse periphery. Traces of luster are seen in the recessed areas, and the relatively clean surfaces are devoid of significant marks. Diagonal adjustment marks are present in the upper and central reverse.
O-101, R.3. Toned with lovely deep peripheral blue which extends beyond the obverse stars and reverse legend to the rim. A similar number of 1802 halves were struck when compared to the 1801: 29,890 pieces compared to 30,289 of the 1801. But for a series with so many die varieties and even sub-varieties, the 1802 half dollar mintage is a lesson in contradiction, as the 29,890 pieces recorded struck were produced from a single die pair. There are no others known for the date, and after 200+ years it is highly unlikely, although not impossible, that any others will be found. The year 1827 holds the series record for the greatest number of die marriages. The 28 obverse dies and 34 reverse dies were married in 49 different combinations to produce the 5.5 million pieces for the year, for an average of more than 112,000 halves per pair. In the case of the 1802, then, it is little wonder that the Mint personnel even saw fit to reuse master dies from 1801 to produce the working dies for 1802: After all, that mintage amounted to only one-quarter of the average mintage for a single die pair in 1827. The 1802 also bears the distinction of being the only Draped Bust half that is a single-variety year. (The 1815, a Capped Bust design, is a single-variety year as well.) While the reasons for the relatively small mintage are lost to posterity, it bears mentioning that the other silver denominations produced during the year, the half dime and dime, are also small by series standards, with the half dime a legendary rarity. (The difference, of course, is that most yearly mintages of the early half dime and dime were on the smallish side, while the silver half dollar, along with the large cent and gold half eagle, was one of the three workhorse coinage denominations of early U.S. commerce.) Mint State coins of this issue are quite rare. Only two Mint State pieces have been recorded in recent auction appearances, so there is considerable pressure on the dozen or so AU coins that have made the rounds in recent auctions. This piece apparently falls just outside the traditional Condition Census of the top six examples, with at least half a dozen finer examples known. The design elements on the present coin are sharply defined, though the star centers along the left border are weak. Attractive cobalt-blue, lavender, and gold-brown patina is evident on the obverse periphery, and lesser so on the reverse periphery. Traces of luster are seen in the recessed areas, and the relatively clean surfaces are devoid of significant marks. Diagonal adjustment marks are present in the upper and central reverse.
1806 50C Pointed 6, Stem MS62. O-119, R.3. Rich aquamarine toning dominates the obverse periphery and visits the reverse border, but the majority of this satiny representative is light golden-gray. Smooth aside from a brief thin mark above the shoulder. Multiple sets of clash marks approach Liberty's profile and cleavage.
1806 50C Pointed 6, Stem MS62. O-119, R.3. Rich aquamarine toning dominates the obverse periphery and visits the reverse border, but the majority of this satiny representative is light golden-gray. Smooth aside from a brief thin mark above the shoulder. Multiple sets of clash marks approach Liberty's profile and cleavage.
1837 50C MS64. The 1837 is one of only two issues of Christian Gobrecht's Reeded Edge, 50 CENTS Reverse Half Dollar. The Reeded Edge half dollars with "50 CENTS" on the reverse were the first U.S. regular-issue coin series struck on a steam press. The second and final year of the 50 CENTS reverse design, type collectors naturally gravitate to the 1837 since the 1836 is a famous, low mintage rarity, and technically a pattern issue. A paltry 1,200 pieces were struck the first year, and a more generous 3,629,820 coins in 1837, making this issue an important and desirable one for type collectors. The production of more than 3.6 million pieces appears generous, however, Uncirculated survivors are scarce, and only a slender portion of these pieces achieve status as a Gem. This near-Gem is a most impressive specimen, as its original surfaces give off glowing luster and medium intensity steel-gray toning. A few unobtrusive handling marks do not detract in the least. The design elements are evenly and fully struck in all areas, with 50 CENTS and all of stars fully impressed, enhancing the coin's outstanding eye appeal. A lack of consequential abrasions further contributes to the eye appeal.
A two-year type coin with the Capped Bust obverse, reeded edge, and HALF DOL. denomination, superseded in 1839 by the Seated Liberty half dollar. This piece shows generous luster over the silver-gold surfaces, with a sharp strike (save for star 12, often seen weak) and some striations near the obverse rim from 4 to 6 o'clock and correspondingly on the reverse, a phenomenon also frequently seen on this issue. Scattered traces of die rust appear, without in the least detracting from the premium appeal of this near-Gem half dollar.
A two-year type coin with the Capped Bust obverse, reeded edge, and HALF DOL. denomination, superseded in 1839 by the Seated Liberty half dollar. This piece shows generous luster over the silver-gold surfaces, with a sharp strike (save for star 12, often seen weak) and some striations near the obverse rim from 4 to 6 o'clock and correspondingly on the reverse, a phenomenon also frequently seen on this issue. Scattered traces of die rust appear, without in the least detracting from the premium appeal of this near-Gem half dollar.
PQ. A solidly struck and highly lustrous near-Gem from the Civil War years. Only a few stray marks appear on the cream-tinted surfaces. An uncommonly appealing No Motto piece.
1874 50C Arrows MS63. Sharply struck and highly lustrous with frosty silver surfaces. Both sides are attractive with full brilliance and no trace of toning. Minor surface marks and abrasions keep this from the Choice category. An important type coin.
1884 50C Repunched Date, WB-102, MS66 PCGS. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse of Seated Liberty coinage in 1866. Although the Civil War ended in 1865, the resumption of specie payments would have to wait for the passage of the Mint Act of February 12, 1873. As such, deliveries of half dollars from 1866-1873 remained low with the exception of a few S-mint issues. The first-year the Motto Half Dollar was produced was 1866, but only to the extent of only 745,625 pieces versus the 3.2 million pieces that were struck of the 1875-S. The P-mint Seated halves from 1879 to 1890 have tiny mintages, as series specialists can attest. This is due primarily to the millions of Morgan dollars that the Philadelphia Mint pumped out with annual celerity, mandated by the Bland-Allison Act. Mintages of Seated half dollars from 1879 to 1890 ranged from 4,400 to 12,001 business strikes per year. Of them all, the 1882 and 1884 mintages are tied for the smallest—4,400 pieces each year—as sufficient quantities of half dollars were in circulation. In effect, the paltry production makes every coin a first-strike representative, hence the larger proportion of markedly proof-like survivors. This popular issue has one of the smallest mintages in not only the Seated half dollar series, but all half dollar series from 1794 to present. Judging by the certified population data, collectors and/or the general public were certainly aware of the tiny mintages, as the numbers extant today are several times the typical surviving population. Of the 4,400 business-strike Seated Liberty half dollars struck in 1884, some of the rare high-grade examples, like the present coin, show deeply reflective proof-like fields. A spectacular gem example of this low mintage, late date Seated half, it is fully struck and the design elements are sharply detailed. The strike is razor-sharp throughout and tiny, well-concealed marks fail to distract. Originality is a hallmark of both sides. Rich toning in shades of cobalt-blue, violet, red, and golden-amber enhance the visual quality of this remarkable Premium Gem, forming a beautiful halo around untoned centers. The thickly frosted portraits of Liberty and the eagle generate significant, albeit undesignated proof-like contrast against the partly mirrored fields. The reverse fields are essentially fully proof-like. This toned, proof-like piece has high field-device contrast and only the most minor distractions. Highly reflective luster adds to the wonderful eye appeal of this superb coin, an exemplary 1884 half. Variety WB-102 with a Recut 4, struck from the business-strike die, the present coin shows minor recutting on the base of the 4. All circulation strikes show the 4 slightly recut north. A business strike-only die pairing, and one of only two, the other being the rare variant with the top of an errant 8 in the denticles beneath the 8 and 4. Provenance: Larry Whitlow
1894 50C MS65. For the connoisseur seeking a Gem quality example of this issue, consider this brilliant example. The surfaces of this Gem are nearly perfect, with soft, frosty silver luster. It is sharply struck with nearly full details on both sides. An extraordinary Gem.
1894 50C MS65. For the connoisseur seeking a Gem quality example of this issue, consider this brilliant example. The surfaces of this Gem are nearly perfect, with soft, frosty silver luster. It is sharply struck with nearly full details on both sides. An extraordinary Gem.
1894 50C MS65. For the connoisseur seeking a Gem quality example of this issue, consider this brilliant example. The surfaces of this Gem are nearly perfect, with soft, frosty silver luster. It is sharply struck with nearly full details on both sides. An extraordinary Gem.
1941 50C MS67. The entry issue into the widely collected 1941 to 1947 short set. The 1941 and 1943 are generally regarded as the best-produced coins in this short series for use as a type coin, even though the 1946-D is more available. This is an absolutely splendid example. A spectacular common date Walker, exhibiting dazzling, untoned surfaces that offer razor sharp detail and an almost total absence of noticeable blemishes. Even minuscule marks are hard to locate. While Mint State survivors of this high mintage wartime issue from the Philadelphia mint abound in today's market, few can compete with the technical merits of this Superb Gem. A simply lovely coin irrespective of date, the surfaces are fully lustrous with a bright, frosty sheen. Untoned and virtually blemish-free, both sides are fully brought up in all areas.
1964 50C MS66. Mintage: 273,300,000. Brilliant and flashy with a bold strike, the clean silver-white surfaces are free of noticeable abrasions. A gorgeous and nearly flawless first-year Kennedy half dollar.
B-5, BB-27. R-1. An absolutely lovely coin, the visual appeal of which easily transcends its numerical grade. Delicately varying shades of golden toning aptly accent assertively struck, fully vibrant underlying surfaces. The fields exhibit an exceptionally atypical degree of reflectivity that only further heighten a bold strike. In fact, this extraordinary luster causes the viewer to look twice in case they have somehow confused this outstanding example with a Morgan dollar! Its visual allure surpasses most mint state survivors of this type.
B-5, BB-27. R-1. An absolutely lovely coin, the visual appeal of which easily transcends its numerical grade. Delicately varying shades of golden toning aptly accent assertively struck, fully vibrant underlying surfaces. The fields exhibit an exceptionally atypical degree of reflectivity that only further heighten a bold strike. In fact, this extraordinary luster causes the viewer to look twice in case they have somehow confused this outstanding example with a Morgan dollar! Its visual allure surpasses most mint state survivors of this type.
1878-S T$1 MS64+. The 1878-S Trade dollar enjoyed a large mintage of 4.1 million pieces, and the date is readily available in most grades today. However, examples in Choice condition are scarce, and higher-grade pieces are rare. The present coin displays nice toning, with an iridescent violet and golden-brown patina, and ample frosty mint luster and sharply detailed devices.
1878-S T$1 MS64+. The 1878-S Trade dollar enjoyed a large mintage of 4.1 million pieces, and the date is readily available in most grades today. However, examples in Choice condition are scarce, and higher-grade pieces are rare. The present coin displays nice toning, with an iridescent violet and golden-brown patina, and ample frosty mint luster and sharply detailed devices.
1885 $1 MS64. Rainbow toning, peacock colors. Ordinarily one might hesitate to say that the technical quality embodied in an MS64 designation is of secondary importance to the awe-inspiring eye appeal of a coin's original toning, but here the statement is clearly the truth. The unbroken crescent of deep rainbow toning running along the periphery from two to eight o'clock is so intense it just overwhelms the obverse.
1885 $1 MS64. Rainbow toning, peacock colors. Ordinarily one might hesitate to say that the technical quality embodied in an MS64 designation is of secondary importance to the awe-inspiring eye appeal of a coin's original toning, but here the statement is clearly the truth. The unbroken crescent of deep rainbow toning running along the periphery from two to eight o'clock is so intense it just overwhelms the obverse.
1885 $1 MS64. Rainbow toning, peacock colors. Ordinarily one might hesitate to say that the technical quality embodied in an MS64 designation is of secondary importance to the awe-inspiring eye appeal of a coin's original toning, but here the statement is clearly the truth. The unbroken crescent of deep rainbow toning running along the periphery from two to eight o'clock is so intense it just overwhelms the obverse.
The key to the Indian-head quarter eagle set with a tiny (relative to the rest of the series) mintage of 55,680 coins. This coin has bright golden color, lots of luster and a razor sharp strike as well, with virtually full detail in the bust, chest and upper wing of the eagle. An AU-58 according to numismatic author Q. David Bowers is correctly described as MS-63 with rub, and that certainly characterizes this little beauty, a wonderful coin that is solid for the grade. Moreover, the coin has the normal D mintmark, easily visible, not the nearly invisible mintmark so often encountered. As far as I know, PCGS is the only grading company that designates "Weak D" on the plastic holder. The normal D, as on this coin, has no designation regarding the mintmark. Weak D variants, far more common than the normal D, are woth less than the normal D examples. The $2.50 Indian gold series is the only date run of gold coins that is possible to complete without spending a king's ransom!
The key to the Indian-head quarter eagle set with a tiny (relative to the rest of the series) mintage of 55,680 coins. This coin has bright golden color, lots of luster and a razor sharp strike as well, with virtually full detail in the bust, chest and upper wing of the eagle. An AU-58 according to numismatic author Q. David Bowers is correctly described as MS-63 with rub, and that certainly characterizes this little beauty, a wonderful coin that is solid for the grade. Moreover, the coin has the normal D mintmark, easily visible, not the nearly invisible mintmark so often encountered. As far as I know, PCGS is the only grading company that designates "Weak D" on the plastic holder. The normal D, as on this coin, has no designation regarding the mintmark. Weak D variants, far more common than the normal D, are woth less than the normal D examples. The $2.50 Indian gold series is the only date run of gold coins that is possible to complete without spending a king's ransom!
Slight leg flatness from stacking or would be MS64. High Reliefs were struck in 3 blows of the dies on a medal press in the Philadelphia Mint. The first two strikings were made utilizing a plain collar, presumably to prevent the raised edge lettering from being disfigured from successive strikings. It was only during the third striking that the plain collar was replaced by the lettered collar to produce a complete High Relief Double Eagle with Lettered Edge. Due to the work-hardening of metal that results from the pressures of the striking process, the as yet incomplete coin was removed from the press after the first and second strikings to be annealed, or softened by heating. It is fairly well known that Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the "American Michelangelo," based his design for the double eagle on the winged goddess of Victory that forms part of the General William Tecumseh Sherman statue at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in New York City. The winged goddess of Victory leads Sherman's horse. She wears a headdress and strides purposefully forward, her right arm stretched out before her, giving the entire monument a rhythmic, driving propulsion. Her eyes are depthless blanks, her expression simultaneously tragic and inscrutable. Similar to the traditional olive sprig in Liberty's left hand on the coin, Victory bears a palm branch in her left hand. One of Saint-Gaudens' great gifts--one that he shared with Michelangelo--was to be able to sculpt figures on a heroic scale, and yet imbue them with personality in the most human dimensions. It is perhaps less well known that Saint-Gaudens based the statue of Victory on the likeness of his mistress, Davida Clark. The General Sherman Monument, commissioned by the New York Chamber of Commerce in 1892, was the last large-scale work of Saint-Gaudens' cancer-shortened life. The final completed monument was installed in 1903. In the evolution from winged Victory to wingless Liberty, Saint-Gaudens managed to strip the nonessential from the female figure, while maintaining both her goddesslike grandeur and heroism as well as her powerfully human femininity. Removal of the wings and headdress allowed room for the de rigueur inscription above, focused more attention on the center of the coin, permitted Liberty's hair to blow freely in the breeze, and made more space beneath for the Capitol building.
K-11, R.5. The last of fifty dollar slug varieties issued prior to the reorganization of the California mint as the United States Assay Office of Gold. The assay office was operated by Moffat & Co., which dissolved after its founder, John Little Moffat, left the firm in 1852. The new principles were Curtis, Perry, and Ward. Business continued as before, but the name of Augustus Humbert would no longer appear on the coins struck at the facility. This straw-gold slug has glimpses of rose-tinted luster within the wings, legends, and engine turning. The distributed marks are appropriate for 25 points of wear. Certified in a green label holder, and listed on page 353 of the 2008 Guide Book.
Lots of detail for VF25, Old Green Holder, R.4 PQ A large question surrounding this coin is whether or not President Washington supplied the silver. Research by Joel Orosz and Carl Herkowitz published in the 2003 Amer. Journal of Numismatics cited a memorandum by John A. McAllister, Jr. who related his interview with Chief Coiner Adam Eckfeldt: "In conversation with Mr. Adam Eckfeldt (Apr. 9, 1844) at the Mint, he informed me that the Half Dismes...were struck, expressly for Gen. Washington, to the extent of One Hundred Dollars, which sum he deposited in Bullion or Coin, for the purpose. Mr. E. thinks that Gen. W. distributed them as presents. Some were sent to Europe, but the greater number, he believes, were given to friends of Gen. W. in Virginia. No more of them were ever coined." Eric von Klinger in a June 13, 2005 Coin World review of the article entitled "Document Details Half Disme: Confirms that G. Washington was Source of Silver," wrote: "General Washington did indeed deposit silver for the 1792 half dismes." Orosz responded in a July 4, 2005 letter to the editor that: "We never claim in our article that we have proved that President Washington provided the silver used to strike the half dismes, as both the headline and the first sentence of von Klinger's article flatly state. In our article, we conclude that while the great preponderance of the evidence points toward Washington as the silver provider, the pieces of evidence that could prove he was - Washington's diary for 1792 and Acting Chief Coiner Henry Voigt's July 1792 account book - are unavailable. Washington was a long-time diarist, but the press of his presidential duties prevented him from keeping a diary in 1792. Voigt did keep an account book, but it was lost about a century ago, and no one knows where it is, or if it even still exists. Therefore, while the authors believe that all of the available evidence points to Washington, we cannot prove he was the donor beyond the shadow of a doubt."
`Never cleaned, NO hairlines, original toning: PQ! Silver. Plain Edge. Die Alignment I (head of Liberty opposite the DO in DOLLAR). This specimen is really quite exceptional as it was a normal practice for many decades for people to occasionally clean or polish their coins. In fact, the Gobrecht dollars that reside in the Smithsonian Collection, which were acquired from the U.S. Mint Collection, have been cleaned several times by Mint personnel. The present coin shows the effects of slight friction typical of circulation, illustrating that many Gobrecht dollars actually circulated within the channels of commerce, and therefore represent "business strikes" even though they were originally struck as proofs. In addition to the artistic depiction of Liberty and the natural appearance of the eagle, one of the most distinctive elements of this 1836 Gobrecht dollar is the flight of the eagle upward at a sharp angle. Mint Director Robert Maskell Patterson carefully communicated what he wanted to artist Titian Peale by specifying that the eagle fly "onward and upward." To Patterson the positioning of the eagle was symbolic of the young republic. During the two striking periods in December 1836, the eagle maintained its upward angle of flight. The difference between the two December striking periods is the presence of a scratch above the eagle's wing, pointing toward the AT of STATES, that appeared on the die before the second batch of 600 coins was struck late in that month. A coin in Die Alignment I which lacks that die scratch is from the first striking period, a batch of 400 coins. The third striking period, in March 1837, was a batch of 600 coins dated 1836. They are commonly described as having been struck with a medal alignment (or medal "turn"), rather than a coin alignment (or coin turn). The third striking period began as expected, however, the reverse die slowly rotated from the "onward and upward" position to eventually level. A few coins have even been observed with the eagle's head slightly below a level horizontal plane. Coins from the first striking period are found in high grade more often than those from late December, as many were saved as souvenirs. That statement must, of course, be understood in the general context of coins that were struck and the low percentage of coins that were actually saved from the 1830s. In December 1839 a mere 300 additional original Gobrecht dollars, dated 1839, were struck. These were given a reeded edge and a medal turn, and they also were released into circulation. The head of Liberty is opposite the O in OF in the reverse legend, which defines what is known as Die Alignment IV (i.e., eagle flying almost level after a rotation around the coin's vertical axis, or "medal turn"). If the reverse displays no die evidence of a die crack through AMERI that means it's an original 1839 dollar, according to the Gray-Carboneau classification. Today most 1839 dollars seen are restrikes from the late 1850s and 1860s.
1839 PS$1 Name Omitted, Judd-104 Original, Pollock-116, R.3 PR45 PCGS. Silver. Reeded Edge. Die Alignment IV, "original" issue of 1839. The head of Liberty is nearly opposite the F in OF, and therefore is in Die Alignment IV orientation. A full figure of Liberty, with shield and Phrygian (“Liberty”) cap on a pole, is the main design element on the obverse. The 26 stars that had been placed on the reverse of the 1836 dollars have now been removed, and 13 stars are now seen around the figure of Liberty on the obverse. A majestic flying eagle (symbolizing the United States) adorns the reverse surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination: ONE DOLLAR. All of the 1839 dollars made in 1839 are thought to have been deposited into the US banking system. Therefore, by default, the Gobrecht dollars issued in 1839 are regular issued coins (even though they were struck in proof format). All Gobrecht dollars are assigned Judd numbers, suggesting that these coins are patterns. But this conclusion is not correct. In fact, the Gobrecht dollars made in 1836, 1837, and 1839 are regular issued coins, and therefore are not patterns. Nevertheless, for historical reasons, it appears that these coins will continue to be incorrectly identified as patterns. The only real Gobrecht dollar pattern coins are the Judd-58 (name below base) and the J-84 (1838 dollar). Gobrecht dollars represent a short, 3-year series, with two different "types" of coins. The first type consists of the issue of 1836 with the no-star obverse design, and the second type includes the 1838 and 1839 dollars with obverse stars but no reverse stars. Another interesting observation is that Gobrecht dollars are the only Proof coins intentionally made for general distribution. Gobrecht dollars are one of the most fascinating and yet confusing series of silver dollars ever made by the US Mint.
Top: PR58, Bot: PR45; 1839 PS$1 Name Omitted, Judd-104 Original, Pollock-116, R.3 Silver. Reeded Edge. Die Alignment IV, "original" issue of 1839. Mostly untoned. A bright and gleaming specimen whose mirrored luster seems poised to detonate like a Fourth of July skyrocket; and there is a touch of faint friction on the high points accounting for the conservative grade. More than adequately struck for the Type, these tend to show razor-sharpness on the shield, on Liberty's gown and hair, as well as on the eagle's body. A representative example of Gobrecht's artistic silver dollar masterpiece. As of April 2009, out of a PCGS population of only 18, these are two of just six 1939 proof silver dollars that PCGS has judged to be both original and "impaired" (i.e., circulated) proofs. The head of Liberty is nearly opposite the F in OF, and therefore is in Die Alignment IV orientation. A full figure of Liberty, with shield and Phrygian (“Liberty”) cap on a pole, is the main design element on the obverse. The 26 stars that had been placed on the reverse of the 1836 dollars have now been removed, and 13 stars are now seen around the figure of Liberty on the obverse. A majestic flying eagle (symbolizing the United States) adorns the reverse surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination: ONE DOLLAR. All of the 1839 dollars made in 1839 are thought to have been deposited into the US banking system. Therefore, by default, the Gobrecht dollars issued in 1839 are regular issued coins (even though they were struck in proof format). All Gobrecht dollars are assigned Judd numbers, suggesting that these coins are patterns. But this conclusion is not correct. In fact, the Gobrecht dollars made in 1836, 1837, and 1839 are regular issued coins, and therefore are not patterns. Nevertheless, for historical reasons, it appears that these coins will continue to be incorrectly identified as patterns. The only real Gobrecht dollar pattern coins are the Judd-58 (name below base) and the J-84 (1838 dollar). Gobrecht dollars represent a short, 3-year series, with two different "types" of coins. The first type consists of the issue of 1836 with the no-star obverse design, and the second type includes the 1838 and 1839 dollars with obverse stars but no reverse stars. Another interesting observation is that Gobrecht dollars are the only Proof coins intentionally made for general distribution. Gobrecht dollars are one of the most fascinating and yet confusing series of silver dollars ever made by the US Mint.
Top: PR58, Bot: PR45; 1839 PS$1 Name Omitted, Judd-104 Original, Pollock-116, R.3 Silver. Reeded Edge. Die Alignment IV, "original" issue of 1839. Mostly untoned. A bright and gleaming specimen whose mirrored luster seems poised to detonate like a Fourth of July skyrocket; and there is a touch of faint friction on the high points accounting for the conservative grade. More than adequately struck for the Type, these tend to show razor-sharpness on the shield, on Liberty's gown and hair, as well as on the eagle's body. A representative example of Gobrecht's artistic silver dollar masterpiece. As of April 2009, out of a PCGS population of only 18, these are two of just six 1939 proof silver dollars that PCGS has judged to be both original and "impaired" (i.e., circulated) proofs. The head of Liberty is nearly opposite the F in OF, and therefore is in Die Alignment IV orientation. A full figure of Liberty, with shield and Phrygian (“Liberty”) cap on a pole, is the main design element on the obverse. The 26 stars that had been placed on the reverse of the 1836 dollars have now been removed, and 13 stars are now seen around the figure of Liberty on the obverse. A majestic flying eagle (symbolizing the United States) adorns the reverse surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination: ONE DOLLAR. All of the 1839 dollars made in 1839 are thought to have been deposited into the US banking system. Therefore, by default, the Gobrecht dollars issued in 1839 are regular issued coins (even though they were struck in proof format). All Gobrecht dollars are assigned Judd numbers, suggesting that these coins are patterns. But this conclusion is not correct. In fact, the Gobrecht dollars made in 1836, 1837, and 1839 are regular issued coins, and therefore are not patterns. Nevertheless, for historical reasons, it appears that these coins will continue to be incorrectly identified as patterns. The only real Gobrecht dollar pattern coins are the Judd-58 (name below base) and the J-84 (1838 dollar). Gobrecht dollars represent a short, 3-year series, with two different "types" of coins. The first type consists of the issue of 1836 with the no-star obverse design, and the second type includes the 1838 and 1839 dollars with obverse stars but no reverse stars. Another interesting observation is that Gobrecht dollars are the only Proof coins intentionally made for general distribution. Gobrecht dollars are one of the most fascinating and yet confusing series of silver dollars ever made by the US Mint.
C-2a, B-2b, High R.2. EAC 40. PQ. The Small Letters Edge subvariety. Evenly struck and undeniably attractive, this sharp golden-brown example boasts plentiful luster within the hair curls and wreath. A tiny obverse rim nick at 9 o'clock will be missed by most observers, and a minor gray spot precedes the U in UNITED.
C-2a, B-2b, High R.2. EAC 40. PQ. The Small Letters Edge subvariety. Evenly struck and undeniably attractive, this sharp golden-brown example boasts plentiful luster within the hair curls and wreath. A tiny obverse rim nick at 9 o'clock will be missed by most observers, and a minor gray spot precedes the U in UNITED.
S-9, B-12, R.2. Noyes VF20; tied for CC-21. EAC VF25. PQ–. Variety: Horizontal stem parallel to the date. The bow is large and rounded. The obverse appears on S-8, S-9, and NC-4. The reverse appears on S-9. Vine and Bars Edge. The S-9 is the single most common Wreath cent variety by a wide margin. Surfaces: An attractive piece with smooth, hard, glossy surfaces. Both sides have mottled golden-brown and deep steel color. A few minor handling marks are visible on the obverse, with a small reverse edge bump over the M. Light corrosion is evident, primarily on the reverse. Full obverse and reverse borders are visible, with the reverse imperfectly centered. Both sides are sharply detailed, and the obverse and reverse types stand boldly against the field. Die State VII: The reverse has die cracks through R and CA of AMERICA, and from the left stem through UNIT. A late die state, although most of the individual die defects Breen describes are faintly visible. Census: Perhaps 10 examples are known in Mint State. This piece has considerable sharpness but is downgraded for various minor imperfections. Commentary: The S-9 is clearly the most common Wreath cent variety, and the only 1793 large cent of any design with a rarity rating less than R.3. Sheldon mentioned in Early American Cents that S.H. Chapman considered this variety to represent 35% of all existing Wreath cents. From a mintage of 63,353 Wreath cents, this would imply a "mintage" of about 22,000 coins. Raw material for copper coinage at the new Mint came from a variety of local sources, none particularly ideal, generally consisting of scrap, rough ingots, or sheet. In Breen's Large Cent Encyclopedia, contributor Craig Sholley wrote: "The locally obtained scrap proved to be especially troublesome. Copper is a difficult metal to properly melt and it is far more difficult to roll than silver or gold. The Mint, lacking both experience and proper equipment, was not prepared for either of these operations." The first of the two processes required that Mint personnel melt the metal and pour it into ingot molds, while watching for retained gas bubbles or impurities. Bubbles in the metal resulted in split planchets, laminations, or other defects to the finished coins. Impurities resulted in various streaks or discoloration spots. The other process was rolling the ingots into planchet strip of the appropriate width and thickness. The Mint used horsepower-operated rollers that were apparently poorly made. Coinage of the Wreath cents was suspended after the April 19 delivery while the rollers were repaired.
S-9, B-12, R.2. Noyes VF20; tied for CC-21. EAC VF25. PQ–. Variety: Horizontal stem parallel to the date. The bow is large and rounded. The obverse appears on S-8, S-9, and NC-4. The reverse appears on S-9. Vine and Bars Edge. The S-9 is the single most common Wreath cent variety by a wide margin. Surfaces: An attractive piece with smooth, hard, glossy surfaces. Both sides have mottled golden-brown and deep steel color. A few minor handling marks are visible on the obverse, with a small reverse edge bump over the M. Light corrosion is evident, primarily on the reverse. Full obverse and reverse borders are visible, with the reverse imperfectly centered. Both sides are sharply detailed, and the obverse and reverse types stand boldly against the field. Die State VII: The reverse has die cracks through R and CA of AMERICA, and from the left stem through UNIT. A late die state, although most of the individual die defects Breen describes are faintly visible. Census: Perhaps 10 examples are known in Mint State. This piece has considerable sharpness but is downgraded for various minor imperfections. Commentary: The S-9 is clearly the most common Wreath cent variety, and the only 1793 large cent of any design with a rarity rating less than R.3. Sheldon mentioned in Early American Cents that S.H. Chapman considered this variety to represent 35% of all existing Wreath cents. From a mintage of 63,353 Wreath cents, this would imply a "mintage" of about 22,000 coins. Raw material for copper coinage at the new Mint came from a variety of local sources, none particularly ideal, generally consisting of scrap, rough ingots, or sheet. In Breen's Large Cent Encyclopedia, contributor Craig Sholley wrote: "The locally obtained scrap proved to be especially troublesome. Copper is a difficult metal to properly melt and it is far more difficult to roll than silver or gold. The Mint, lacking both experience and proper equipment, was not prepared for either of these operations." The first of the two processes required that Mint personnel melt the metal and pour it into ingot molds, while watching for retained gas bubbles or impurities. Bubbles in the metal resulted in split planchets, laminations, or other defects to the finished coins. Impurities resulted in various streaks or discoloration spots. The other process was rolling the ingots into planchet strip of the appropriate width and thickness. The Mint used horsepower-operated rollers that were apparently poorly made. Coinage of the Wreath cents was suspended after the April 19 delivery while the rollers were repaired.
1814 1C Crosslet 4 MS63BN S-294, B-1, R.1. Only two die marriages are known for 1814 Cents, and each receives a separate Guide Book listing due to a different logotype on the 4. Traces of faded red color surround the legends and stars, while the fields and portrait exhibit steel-brown color. This well struck Large Cent has a nearly undisturbed obverse, and the reverse is also refreshingly clean. This is a relatively common Classic cent, but always of great importance to type collectors, as these pieces become scarce in XF and better grades.
1814 1C Crosslet 4 MS63BN S-294, B-1, R.1. Only two die marriages are known for 1814 Cents, and each receives a separate Guide Book listing due to a different logotype on the 4. Traces of faded red color surround the legends and stars, while the fields and portrait exhibit steel-brown color. This well struck Large Cent has a nearly undisturbed obverse, and the reverse is also refreshingly clean. This is a relatively common Classic cent, but always of great importance to type collectors, as these pieces become scarce in XF and better grades.
1795 H10C MS62. V-5, LM-8, R.3. The years 1795 and 1796 were busy and productive ones for the fledgling U.S. Mint. Director Henry DeSaussure--continuing his dual missions to produce circulating gold coinage and to improve the design of circulating silver coinage--employed the noted portraitist Gilbert Stuart in the summer of 1795 to fashion a new portrait of Liberty to replace the unpopular Flowing Hair design on silver denominations. From those sketches, artist John Eckstein prepared obverse device punches, and Chief Engraver Robert Scot prepared dies conforming to the Mint Act of 1792. The new Draped Bust, Small Eagle design was introduced first in 1795 on the silver dollar. Although no 1795 half dimes with the Draped Bust motif were coined, a 1795-dated obverse die of the new design was produced. The recorded mintage of 86,416 half dimes included both 1794- and 1795-dated pieces, but about three times as many 1795 pieces have been certified. The mintage of 1795 half dimes was divided into 10 different die marriages, most of them quite scarce. This coin is a representative of the scarce LM-8 variety. It is identifiable by the position of star 1 between curls 1 and 2 on the obverse and the wreath with no berries under the left wing of the eagle on the reverse. The LM-8 variety is one of the more available marriages, and is a popular choice with early type collectors. The number of high quality LM-8 half dimes is explained by its presence in a hoard mentioned by Walter Breen in his Proof Encyclopedia of more than 100 Mint State Flowing Hair half dimes, of this and two other varieties, discovered in the 1870s and dispersed by William Elliot Woodward around 1880, known as the Wadsworth-Rea hoard. On this variety there are seven curls, the first star points between curls 2 and 3, and the reverse shows the berries arranged 3-4 with none beneath the wings. There is no berry inside or outside of the U in UNITED, and a spike protrudes from the wreath and points between the first T and A of STATES. The bold diagnostic obverse die crack extends from the upper rim to Y in LIBERTY to the nose and then across the neck to the top of the 7 in the date. This variety is most easily attributed by the lack of berries around the lower left portion of the wreath and the relative position of the lowest outside left leaf relative to the U in UNITED. The die crack through the Y in LIBERTY also confirms this die pairing. The present example is sharper than most and centered, normally not seen on most early Bust design half dimes. No adjustment marks are apparent on either side of this coin.
1795 H10C MS62. V-5, LM-8, R.3. The years 1795 and 1796 were busy and productive ones for the fledgling U.S. Mint. Director Henry DeSaussure--continuing his dual missions to produce circulating gold coinage and to improve the design of circulating silver coinage--employed the noted portraitist Gilbert Stuart in the summer of 1795 to fashion a new portrait of Liberty to replace the unpopular Flowing Hair design on silver denominations. From those sketches, artist John Eckstein prepared obverse device punches, and Chief Engraver Robert Scot prepared dies conforming to the Mint Act of 1792. The new Draped Bust, Small Eagle design was introduced first in 1795 on the silver dollar. Although no 1795 half dimes with the Draped Bust motif were coined, a 1795-dated obverse die of the new design was produced. The recorded mintage of 86,416 half dimes included both 1794- and 1795-dated pieces, but about three times as many 1795 pieces have been certified. The mintage of 1795 half dimes was divided into 10 different die marriages, most of them quite scarce. This coin is a representative of the scarce LM-8 variety. It is identifiable by the position of star 1 between curls 1 and 2 on the obverse and the wreath with no berries under the left wing of the eagle on the reverse. The LM-8 variety is one of the more available marriages, and is a popular choice with early type collectors. The number of high quality LM-8 half dimes is explained by its presence in a hoard mentioned by Walter Breen in his Proof Encyclopedia of more than 100 Mint State Flowing Hair half dimes, of this and two other varieties, discovered in the 1870s and dispersed by William Elliot Woodward around 1880, known as the Wadsworth-Rea hoard. On this variety there are seven curls, the first star points between curls 2 and 3, and the reverse shows the berries arranged 3-4 with none beneath the wings. There is no berry inside or outside of the U in UNITED, and a spike protrudes from the wreath and points between the first T and A of STATES. The bold diagnostic obverse die crack extends from the upper rim to Y in LIBERTY to the nose and then across the neck to the top of the 7 in the date. This variety is most easily attributed by the lack of berries around the lower left portion of the wreath and the relative position of the lowest outside left leaf relative to the U in UNITED. The die crack through the Y in LIBERTY also confirms this die pairing. The present example is sharper than most and centered, normally not seen on most early Bust design half dimes. No adjustment marks are apparent on either side of this coin.
1806 50C Pointed 6, Stem MS63. O-120a, R.4. A huge mintage of 839,576 Draped Bust half dollars was achieved in 1806, with 28 die varieties known for the date. A collection of 1806 die varieties and states would provide a monumental challenge. The O-120 reverse is one of those few numismatic situations where virtually every surviving coin could be considered a slightly different die state. This scarce variety is most easily identified by the die crack above the hair of Liberty on the obverse, and especially on the reverse by the broken patch on the shield, which gives the coin a special character not found on other varieties. Known as the Broken Shield variety, in its intermediate and late die states this variety is instantly recognized by (and popular for) the unusual, heavy die break, or "cud." A large piece broke out of the die right across the shield on the reverse, atop the fourth vertical stripe of the shield its earliest stages of progression. In later die states, this cud eventually extends across the shield until only the first vertical stripe is unaffected. This example is an intermediate state and is much earlier than that plated in the Parsley/Overton book. The shield die break encompasses all or part of three vertical stripes. The die break extends from pale 2 of gule 3 to a point midway between gules 5 and 6. Another break joins the left part of the first two horizontal shield stripes. Two die cracks join the border to the right ribbon end below M of AMERICA. These start at the same point on the border, with one crack following the right diagonal of the A, the other curving through M, with the area between these just beginning to sink into a retained cud. An additional crack extends through the tops of UNITE to the border over D. Many diagnostic die cracks are evident, including the crack across the tail feathers and the crack from the leaf to the base of RI. A couple light scratches in the right obverse fields serve to mark the pedigree of this piece, an intricately struck half dollar that lacks consequential abrasions. The actual design elements on each side of this lovely Draped Bust half dollar are boldly defined, within the context of the design type, with a well-centered impression and full obverse and reverse border details. The strike is crisp and full, with clear details even on the eagle's breast feathers, although a few of the upper hair details are weakly defined, as nearly always. The dusky grayish-silver colored obverse has considerable underlying mint luster, with iridescent tones of gold, pastel pink, sky blue and sea green circling the borders. The reverse has similar toning throughout and shimmering luster, swirling atop exceptional surfaces with none of the scratches mentioned for the obverse. This Select Mint State coin is a phenomenal example of this scarce variety, and one of the two or three finest known of the die state.
1806 50C Pointed 6, Stem MS63. O-120a, R.4. A huge mintage of 839,576 Draped Bust half dollars was achieved in 1806, with 28 die varieties known for the date. A collection of 1806 die varieties and states would provide a monumental challenge. The O-120 reverse is one of those few numismatic situations where virtually every surviving coin could be considered a slightly different die state. This scarce variety is most easily identified by the die crack above the hair of Liberty on the obverse, and especially on the reverse by the broken patch on the shield, which gives the coin a special character not found on other varieties. Known as the Broken Shield variety, in its intermediate and late die states this variety is instantly recognized by (and popular for) the unusual, heavy die break, or "cud." A large piece broke out of the die right across the shield on the reverse, atop the fourth vertical stripe of the shield its earliest stages of progression. In later die states, this cud eventually extends across the shield until only the first vertical stripe is unaffected. This example is an intermediate state and is much earlier than that plated in the Parsley/Overton book. The shield die break encompasses all or part of three vertical stripes. The die break extends from pale 2 of gule 3 to a point midway between gules 5 and 6. Another break joins the left part of the first two horizontal shield stripes. Two die cracks join the border to the right ribbon end below M of AMERICA. These start at the same point on the border, with one crack following the right diagonal of the A, the other curving through M, with the area between these just beginning to sink into a retained cud. An additional crack extends through the tops of UNITE to the border over D. Many diagnostic die cracks are evident, including the crack across the tail feathers and the crack from the leaf to the base of RI. A couple light scratches in the right obverse fields serve to mark the pedigree of this piece, an intricately struck half dollar that lacks consequential abrasions. The actual design elements on each side of this lovely Draped Bust half dollar are boldly defined, within the context of the design type, with a well-centered impression and full obverse and reverse border details. The strike is crisp and full, with clear details even on the eagle's breast feathers, although a few of the upper hair details are weakly defined, as nearly always. The dusky grayish-silver colored obverse has considerable underlying mint luster, with iridescent tones of gold, pastel pink, sky blue and sea green circling the borders. The reverse has similar toning throughout and shimmering luster, swirling atop exceptional surfaces with none of the scratches mentioned for the obverse. This Select Mint State coin is a phenomenal example of this scarce variety, and one of the two or three finest known of the die state.
1832 50C Small Letters MS64 PCGS. O-106, R.1. Mintage: 4,797,000. Star 1 is recut, instantly identifying this variety, and a tiny dotlike hole is seen at the lower shield vertex. The 5 in the denomination has a short, thick top. Line 1 of stripe 2 and line 2 of stripe 4 extend upward through two horizontal shield lines. The Draped Bust half dollar yielded to the perennially popular Capped Bust motif in 1807. In 1807 the Mint introduced a new half dollar design that collectors today have come to call the Turban Head or Capped Bust variety. This lovely near-Gem is highly lustrous with radiant silver-white surfaces and a bold strike. The coin is just a couple of trivial cheek abrasions away from full Gem status. Extremely high-end for the grade, and eye-appealing as well.
1832 50C Small Letters MS64 PCGS. O-106, R.1. Mintage: 4,797,000. Star 1 is recut, instantly identifying this variety, and a tiny dotlike hole is seen at the lower shield vertex. The 5 in the denomination has a short, thick top. Line 1 of stripe 2 and line 2 of stripe 4 extend upward through two horizontal shield lines. The Draped Bust half dollar yielded to the perennially popular Capped Bust motif in 1807. In 1807 the Mint introduced a new half dollar design that collectors today have come to call the Turban Head or Capped Bust variety. This lovely near-Gem is highly lustrous with radiant silver-white surfaces and a bold strike. The coin is just a couple of trivial cheek abrasions away from full Gem status. Extremely high-end for the grade, and eye-appealing as well.
1832 50C Small Letters MS64 PCGS. O-106, R.1. Mintage: 4,797,000. Star 1 is recut, instantly identifying this variety, and a tiny dotlike hole is seen at the lower shield vertex. The 5 in the denomination has a short, thick top. Line 1 of stripe 2 and line 2 of stripe 4 extend upward through two horizontal shield lines. The Draped Bust half dollar yielded to the perennially popular Capped Bust motif in 1807. In 1807 the Mint introduced a new half dollar design that collectors today have come to call the Turban Head or Capped Bust variety. This lovely near-Gem is highly lustrous with radiant silver-white surfaces and a bold strike. The coin is just a couple of trivial cheek abrasions away from full Gem status. Extremely high-end for the grade, and eye-appealing as well.
1946-S 10C MS67. A highly lustrous example from the first year of issue, precisely struck and highly attractive. Roosevelt dime collectors know that the early S-mint dates are the most desirable issues in the series.
1946-S 10C MS67. A highly lustrous example from the first year of issue, precisely struck and highly attractive. Roosevelt dime collectors know that the early S-mint dates are the most desirable issues in the series.
1958-D 50C MS66 Full Bell Lines. This was the final year that the Mint issued mint sets in cardboard holders with lots of sulphur to tone the coins. Tomaska noted: "Beautifully toned MS66 FBL and MS67 FBL 1958-D Franklins are usually among the most captivating coins in a top Franklin set. The colors are often dramatic - shimmering iridescent 'Peter Max' rainbows on the most spectacular pieces." A nearly perfect strike, practically flawless surface preservation, and attractive, slightly understated toning combine to make this Franklin half dollar an ideal type coin. One of the best preserved and prettiest mint set Franklins one of likely to set eyes on, this is a Premium Gem Franklin with likely mint set origins of this difficult late-series issue. This outstanding example is sharply detailed with a thin arc of colorful splashes of marvelous rose, orange, and lime-green iridescence captivating the viewer and enlivening both the obverse and the reverse rims. Vibrant, satiny, cartwheel mint luster illuminates the clean, colorful surfaces, and the strike is quite bold. Superbly defined, the excellent strike transcends the Full Bell Lines to include the lettering on the bell. Even among the normally well preserved mint set half dollars from this year, probably the source of this coin, only a small number of survivors could compete with the technical merits of this exceptional piece. The 1958-D Franklin Half dollar is the most available date of the series in Superb (MS67) Gem condition, because of its typically sharp strike. Still, Superb Gems with Full Bell Lines are quite rare. I'm happy with a well struck and magnificently preserved Premium (MS66) Gem that has spectacular eye appeal due to its vivid toning. A lovely specimen of this first year of the type issue.
1958-D 50C MS66 Full Bell Lines. This was the final year that the Mint issued mint sets in cardboard holders with lots of sulphur to tone the coins. Tomaska noted: "Beautifully toned MS66 FBL and MS67 FBL 1958-D Franklins are usually among the most captivating coins in a top Franklin set. The colors are often dramatic - shimmering iridescent 'Peter Max' rainbows on the most spectacular pieces." A nearly perfect strike, practically flawless surface preservation, and attractive, slightly understated toning combine to make this Franklin half dollar an ideal type coin. One of the best preserved and prettiest mint set Franklins one of likely to set eyes on, this is a Premium Gem Franklin with likely mint set origins of this difficult late-series issue. This outstanding example is sharply detailed with a thin arc of colorful splashes of marvelous rose, orange, and lime-green iridescence captivating the viewer and enlivening both the obverse and the reverse rims. Vibrant, satiny, cartwheel mint luster illuminates the clean, colorful surfaces, and the strike is quite bold. Superbly defined, the excellent strike transcends the Full Bell Lines to include the lettering on the bell. Even among the normally well preserved mint set half dollars from this year, probably the source of this coin, only a small number of survivors could compete with the technical merits of this exceptional piece. The 1958-D Franklin Half dollar is the most available date of the series in Superb (MS67) Gem condition, because of its typically sharp strike. Still, Superb Gems with Full Bell Lines are quite rare. I'm happy with a well struck and magnificently preserved Premium (MS66) Gem that has spectacular eye appeal due to its vivid toning. A lovely specimen of this first year of the type issue.
1958-D 50C MS66 Full Bell Lines. This was the final year that the Mint issued mint sets in cardboard holders with lots of sulphur to tone the coins. Tomaska noted: "Beautifully toned MS66 FBL and MS67 FBL 1958-D Franklins are usually among the most captivating coins in a top Franklin set. The colors are often dramatic - shimmering iridescent 'Peter Max' rainbows on the most spectacular pieces." A nearly perfect strike, practically flawless surface preservation, and attractive, slightly understated toning combine to make this Franklin half dollar an ideal type coin. One of the best preserved and prettiest mint set Franklins one of likely to set eyes on, this is a Premium Gem Franklin with likely mint set origins of this difficult late-series issue. This outstanding example is sharply detailed with a thin arc of colorful splashes of marvelous rose, orange, and lime-green iridescence captivating the viewer and enlivening both the obverse and the reverse rims. Vibrant, satiny, cartwheel mint luster illuminates the clean, colorful surfaces, and the strike is quite bold. Superbly defined, the excellent strike transcends the Full Bell Lines to include the lettering on the bell. Even among the normally well preserved mint set half dollars from this year, probably the source of this coin, only a small number of survivors could compete with the technical merits of this exceptional piece. The 1958-D Franklin Half dollar is the most available date of the series in Superb (MS67) Gem condition, because of its typically sharp strike. Still, Superb Gems with Full Bell Lines are quite rare. I'm happy with a well struck and magnificently preserved Premium (MS66) Gem that has spectacular eye appeal due to its vivid toning. A lovely specimen of this first year of the type issue.