1964 50C SMS SP(PCGS#6844)

The Regency Auction 47

拍卖行

Legend Rare Coin Auctions

批号

302

等级

SP67+

价格

645,006

详细说明

Along with the 1969-S Doubled Die cent offered above, the 1964 Special Mint Set J.F.K. half dollar is one of the most coveted modern American numismatic rarities. A coin that until recently did not become fully appreciated by collectors, and one whose initial production is shrouded in mystery. The history begins in late 1963, after the assassination of President Kennedy. Officials at the mint rushed to create a numismatic tribute to the slain president, thus ending the Franklin half dollar and the beginning of the Kennedy half dollar. Since the Franklin half dollar had not been in use for the required 25 years, an act of Congress authorized the redesign. Indeed, just a few days after the events in Dallas, mint director Eva Adams had Gilroy Roberts, the Chief Engraver, to prepare models depicting the popular, youthful president. In January 1964, the first J.F.K. halves were struck, amounting to a total production of over 429 million circulation strikes between Philadelphia and Denver and nearly four million Proofs. Somewhere along the line about a dozen Specimen strikings were produced. These are clearly different in style to either those struck for circulation or Proofs. The devices on these Specimens are sharply struck with exceptionally bold definition in the hair and the rims are high up and fully squared. The fields show extensive die polishing marks in the reverse fields. The obverse details include a small tine off the crossbar of the 4, a feature that has never been observed on any other 1964 half dollar, Mint State or Proof, showing that these dies were used for this small production and that is it. Whether these are die trials for the new design, or as a "bridge" to the Special Mint Set pieces struck 1965-67, we do not know for sure. The first example of these specially produced half dollars appeared in Stack's June 1991 auction, where a full 1964 set with special prepared dies was offered in lot 591. What is suspected is that these sets were made special for Eva Adams for distribution as gifts or for herself, and were sold to New York dealer Lester Merkin sometime shortly before her death in August 1991 and his in June 1992. The remaining sets that he had purchased were sold in Stack's auctions from 1991 to 1995; a total of 9 sets made their way into the market that way. Today, about a dozen Specimen 1964 half dollars are known, making this the RAREST of all JFK half dollars, and the rarest non-error modern coin of the U.S. series. This is a truly marvelous example, tied with the one we sold in April 2021 for third highest graded at PCGS and still ranks as the median grade for this very rare issue. Between PCGS and NGC, 25 examples appear on the Population and Census Reports combined, clearly there must be some serious duplication of submissions. This coin was sharply struck from freshly prepared dies, clearly the swirling die lines seen in the fields on both sides are evidence of special preparation Sharply struck and boldly brilliant, the eye appeal of this modern rarity is amazing. PCGS 2, NGC 2. The last one to sell realized $96,938 in our April 2021 Regency Auction and the current Collectors Universe value is listed at $100,000. Bound for the finest JFK set or 20th century type set. Bid accordingly. Cert. Number 43368352 PCGS # 6844.00