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1848 50C PR66 NGC....

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Sold on Jul 31, 2008 for:
$74,750.00 Bid Source: Internet bidder
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Description

Marvelous 1848 Half Dollar, PR66
The Finest Known

1848 50C PR66 NGC. Ex: Pittman-Kaufman. The Premium Gem 1848 proof half dollar is one of the rarest coins in the Phil Kaufman collection, and the finest known of an exceedingly sparse population. Randy Wiley and Bill Bugert, in their Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dollars, state: "Less than 4 known." Walter Breen (1989), on the other hand, lists six examples, including one in the Smithsonian Institution. Similarly, David Akers (1998) estimates five or six specimens, while NGC and PCGS have graded a mere three coins.
Our research accounts for five distinct 1848 proof half dollars:

1. PR66 NGC. The Kaufman coin. Newcomb, part II (James G. MacAllister and Wayte Raymond, 5/1945), lot 859; John Jay Pittman Collection (David Akers, 5/1998), lot 1534.

2. PR63. Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection (Bowers and Merena, 4/1997), lot 1944.

3. Brilliant Choice Proof. Lester Merkin (2/1971), lot 751; Armand Champa Collection (American Auction Association, 5/1972), lot 890. The Merkin catalog notes that this coin is from The Empire Collection (Stack's, 11/1957), lot 1383 (unplated).

4. Brilliant Proof. Reed Hawn Collection (Stack's, 8/1973), lot 165. (While photo quality of this appearance makes plate matching difficult, we believe it is distinct from the above specimens).

5. Proof. Smithsonian Institution.

Additional appearances

A. Brilliant Proof. World's Greatest Collection (Numismatic Gallery, 4/1945), lot 294.

B. Proof. Numismatic Gallery (1949 ANA Sale), lot 1505.

C. Proof. Paramount Rare Coin List #11 (10/1975).

The Kaufman specimen displays superb toning. A delicate blend of russet, sky-blue, violet, and greenish-gold resides on the obverse, yielding to mostly soft gold-orange and sky-blue on the reverse. Satiny devices stand out against mirrored fields as the coin is tilted just slightly beneath a light source, and an impressive strike delivers exquisite detail to the design features, none of which reveal even the slightest hint of weakness. No marks of consequence are visible on the impeccably preserved surfaces, enhancing even more the coin's outstanding eye appeal.
From The Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Proof Sets, Part Four.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 27TA, PCGS# 6392, GSID# 6409)

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 13.36 grams
ASW: 0.42oz

View all of [Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Proof Sets, Part Four ]

View Certification Details from NGC

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: 4,103

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.

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Sold on Jul 31, 2008 for: $74,750.00
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