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1851 $50 RE Humbert Fifty Dollar, 880 Thous. AU55 NGC. CAC. K-5, Low R.5....
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Description
K-5 1851 Reeded Edge Humbert Fifty
880 Thous., Choice AU
1851 $50 RE Humbert Fifty Dollar, 880 Thous. AU55 NGC. CAC. K-5,
Low R.5. The Augustus Humbert/United States Assay Office fifty
dollar pieces of 1851 were the largest hard-money issues struck
under the nation's authority up to that time. Considerable
confusion and debate have surrounded the octagonal Humbert fifties,
and the main question for many numismatists is whether the items
qualify as U.S. coins. There are almost as many definitions for
"coin" as there are numismatists, though, so any sort of consensus
would be hard to build.There are certain facts, however, which are essentially beyond dispute. Among them: Augustus Humbert, as United States Assayer of Gold, was working under the authority of the U.S. government in what turned out to be the predecessor of the U.S. Mint in San Francisco; his octagonal fifty dollar issues bear both a fineness, unusual for U.S. coins, and a more traditional denomination, along with the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; and the Humbert fifties, though labeled as "ingots" in official correspondence, circulated as money soon after their release.
This Humbert fifty is among those that circulated, albeit briefly; while the devices appear significantly worn, this has more to do with the strike than time spent in commerce. Considerable yellow-gold luster remains in the fields, which are moderately abraded. The Humbert fifty dollar type is vulnerable to corner bumps, as illustrated by the 11 o'clock and 2 o'clock corners on this piece, but the overall eye appeal is solid. Comes with wooden key-locking outer case that has Blanchard branding. Listed on page 368 of the 2011 Guide Book. Census: 9 in 55, 24 finer (7/10).
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 6J5L, PCGS# 10211, GSID# 11785)
Auction Info
2010 September Long Beach, CA Signature US Coin Auction #1144 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2010
23rd-26th
Thursday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 17
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 2,157
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.
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