LOT #1702 |
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1854-O 50C Arrows Specimen MS63 NGC....
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Sold on Jul 31, 2008 for:
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Description
Unique Specimen Striking of the 1854-O Half Dollar
1854-O 50C Arrows Specimen MS63 NGC. To our knowledge this is the only proof striking of the 1854-O half dollar. We were able to trace the pedigree of this unique piece through Breen's brief mention of it on page 235 of his 1977 proof Encyclopedia: "Date slants up to r., 54 touch. Reed Hawn:183, $1,300, unverified." Examination of the photo of Reed's coin in the Stack's catalog and this piece positively identify this as the coin from his historic offering of half dollars. The description in the Stack's catalog in 1973 was succinct and unambiguous: "A magnificent Brilliant Proof, with full glittering surface even in the stripes of the shield on the reverse. There is no doubt that this is a specimen striking, not only because of its mirror surface, but also because of the perfection of strike. A lovely coin with pale russet and golden toning."The surfaces of this piece have uniform reflectivity over each side, and the striking details show pinpoint definition. We do not know the reason for such a coin to have been struck, and Breen does not speculate. Perhaps it was simply because of the institution of the Arrows design, or perhaps it was struck on order for a collector with Mint connections in the mid-1850s. The real story behind this coin is lost in the mists of history now, but the physical attributes of the piece stand as testament that something special was done to create a specimen striking in New Orleans in 1854. This is the only coin even rumored to exist as a specimen or proof striking of the 1854-O half dollar.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 27TW, PCGS# 6407, Greysheet# 6425)
Weight: 12.44 grams
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Auction Info
2008 July-August Baltimore, MD (ANA) US Coin Signature Auction #1114 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
Jul-Aug, 2008
30th-3rd
Wednesday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 9
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,167
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.
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