LOT #3167 |
Sold on Aug 11, 2010 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
1839 50C No Drapery PR62 NGC....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Aug 11, 2010 for:
$69,000.00
Bid Source: Internet bidder
Description
1839 No Drapery Half Dollar, PR62
One of Only Four Known Examples
Ex: F.C.C. Boyd, Phil Kaufman
1839 50C No Drapery PR62 NGC. Ex: P. Kaufman. To the best of
our knowledge, the Kaufman 1839 No Drapery proof half dollar is one
of only four pieces known. We trace its provenance to F.C.C. Boyd
and World's Greatest Collection. It appears to be the only late die
state example, with a bisecting reverse crack that is unseen on the
other two examples.All four known 1839 No Drapery proof half dollars appear to have a crack extending through the outer parts of MERICA and HALF DOL, continuing to a point below the left (facing) wing (an interesting question that arises here is why the Mint would use a cracked reverse die to strike proofs), and the proofs have several other characteristics that distinguish them. The Kaufman coin is identified by the following: an additional bisecting crack from the reverse rim at 7 o'clock that travels through the leaf and eagle's left (facing) leg, the lower shield, middle of the left wing, to the right foot of the R in AMERICA; and a heavy clash mark within the lower right reverse shield.
A second example, the Findley specimen, appeared in our January 2009 FUN sale, lot 3861, and reappeared in our April 2009 Central States sale, lot 2481.
A third example, the Hawn specimen, is easily distinguished by a spot over the right upright of the N in UNITED. It also lacks the bisecting reverse crack. That piece most recently appeared in our January 2007 FUN sale, lot 988. Additionally, its pedigree can be traced to the Stack's August 1973 sale of the Reed Hawn Collection, lot 125.
A fourth proof 1839 No Drapery half dollar appeared in the October 1996 Stack's sale, lot 300. A small chip out of the edge above first S of STATES identifies it.
The four known examples of this proof rarity are:
1. PR65 NGC. Findley Collection (Heritage, 1/2009), lot 3861; Heritage (4/2009), lot 2481, which realized $241,500.
2. PR64 PCGS. Reed Hawn (Stack's, 8/1973), lot 125; Bowers and Merena (8/1999), lot 200; Goldberg Coins (2/2001), lot 1752; 2002 ANA Sale (Superior, 8/2002), lot 973; Heritage (1/2004), lot 5941; Richmond Collection (David Lawrence, 3/2005), lot 1784; Heritage (1/2007), lot 988.
3. PR62 NGC. F.C.C. Boyd (World's Greatest Collection, Numismatic Gallery, 4/1945), lot 246; 1946 ANA (Abe Kosoff), lot 812; Stack's (3/1965), lot 440; 1976 ANA (Stack's, 8/1976), lot 1172; Stack's (12/1985), lot 942; Worrell Collection (Superior, 9/1993), lot 712; Phil Kaufman (Heritage, 4/2008), lot 2376; Heritage (1/2010), lot 2554. The present specimen.
4. Proof. Stack's (10/1996), lot 300.
Additional appearances:
A. PR63 PCGS. Heritage (9/2002), lot 13257; Heritage (12/2002), lot 19261. This could only be number 2 or 4 on the list above, or a new fifth example.
B. Will W. Neil (B. Max Mehl, 6/1947), lot 474. No photo. The catalog description suggests that this is the same coin as the Reed Hawn specimen, but that is uncertain.
C. 1948 ANA (Frank Katan), lot 1766. This example could be the same as any of the preceding, and is quite possibly the same as number 1 in our list, above.
The Kaufman coin, with the additional bisecting reverse crack and the reverse clash mark, was likely the last of the four confirmed 1839 No Drapery proof half dollars to be struck.
Several additional attributes stand out on the Kaufman coin that are sure to draw the attention of the Seated Liberty proof aficionado. It possesses delightful field-motif contrast, regardless of the angle from which it is viewed. While not designated as Cameo on the NGC holder, deeply mirrored fields highlight the frosty devices. The rims are bold and squared off, and exhibit fully struck dentilation. An impressive strike provides complete definition on the design features that appears to further accentuate the contrast with the fields. Brilliant fields display barely discernible wisps of sky-blue and gold-tan under magnification, slightly more so on the obverse. A scattering of inoffensive contact marks and some faint hairlines in the fields are all that preclude the achievement of a significantly higher grade.
Ex: Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Seated Proof Sets, Part Three (Heritage, 4/2008), lot 2376, which realized $138,000.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 27SZ, PCGS# 6381, GSID# 6382)
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 13.36 grams
ASW: 0.38658oz
Auction Info
2010 August Boston, MA Signature & Platinum Night ANA Coin Auction #1143 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
August, 2010
11th-15th
Wednesday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 5
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 2,160
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial