LOT #5077 |
Sold on Feb 4, 2014 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
1841 H10C PR65 NGC....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Feb 4, 2014 for:
$32,900.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Description
1841 Seated Half Dime, PR65
Very Rare Early Proof, Ex: Pittman
Possibly Finest Known
1841 H10C PR65 NGC. Although we have not seen all proof half
dimes of this date that currently exist, we believe this specimen
is the finest known, or at least tied for the finest known. While
the mintage of 1841 proof half dimes was not recorded, Walter
Breen, in his 1988 Encyclopedia says "possibly 8 proofs."
This estimate more or less coincides with the current NGC/PCGS
population reports, which include five pieces graded by NGC -- a
PR63, a PR63 Cameo, a PR64, and two PR65 coins, one of which is the
present example. PCGS has seen one coin, a PR63.This coin was once a highlight of the famous John Jay Pittman Collection. In his description of this coin in the Pittman catalog David Akers writes:
"The Proof silver coins of 1841 are all extremely rare, indeed, among the rarest of the entire decade. Unlike the silver dollar and the two copper denominations, which were all struck in additional quantities, the Proof Half Dime was struck only for inclusion in the year's Proof sets, which probably numbered about 10. No more than 5-6 Proof 1841 Half dimes are known today. Eliasberg, Norweb, Garrett, and Starr, all great collections, failed to have a Proof of this issue."
The following roster was expanded from our listing in the January 2008 FUN catalog.
Roster of 1841 Proof Seated Liberty Half Dimes
1. PR65 NGC. Public Auction Sale (David Bullowa, 5/1952); John Jay Pittman (David Akers, 10/ 1997), lot 465, realized $15,400; Phil Kaufman; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2008), lot 3018, realized $46,000; the present coin.
2. PR65 NGC. Boys Home Sale (Superior, 5/1990), lot 3567; Phil Kaufman; Boys Town and Mamiye Collections (Bowers and Merena, 3/1998), lot 501. Mr. Kaufman owned this coin when he purchased the Pittman specimen, which he felt was the nicer coin. This duplicate was sold a few months later.
3. PR64 NGC. Harlan P. Smith Collection (S.H. and H. Chapman, 5/1906), lot 1017; John M. Clapp; Clapp Estate (1942); Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Eliasberg Collection (Bowers and Merena, 5/1996), lot 955; Richmond Collection (David Lawrence, 3/2005), lot 1082, realized $20,700.
4. PR63 NGC. Pre-Long Beach Sale (Superior, 10/2000), lot 4320, $6,900; Fairchild Family Trust (Goldberg Coins, 5/2001), lot 4320; Pre-Long Beach Sale (Superior, 6/ 2002), lot 4140, realized $14,950.
5. PR62. James A. Stack Collection (Stack's, 11/1989), lot 394.
6. PR60 ANACS. New York International Numismatic Convention (Stack's, 12/1999), lot 1592; Pre-Long Beach Sale (Superior, 10/2000), lot 4321.
7. PR60. 1987 ANA (Bowers and Merena, 8/1987), lot 237; Public Auction Sale (Stack's, 3/1991), lot 1504; Public Auction Sale (Stack's, 3/ 1996), lot 249.
8. Proof. New York Sale (New England Rare Coin Auctions, 3/1997), lot 41.
9. Proof. Smithsonian Institution.
Additional Appearances
A. PR63 NGC. Teletrade (4/1992), lot 347, $8,193. This is almost certainly the PR63 NGC example in number 4 above.
B. Proof. William Cutler Atwater (B. Max Mehl, 6/1946), lot 1147. "Proof, but not in full brilliancy. Slightly rubbed on obverse field. A beautiful specimen just the same."
C. Proof. Dr. Charles W. Green (B. Max Mehl, 4/1949), lot 1086.
A wonderful mélange of deep reddish-gold, electric-blue, and violet toning bathes the obverse of this Gem proof, while slightly lighter shades of sky-blue and gold-beige patina reside on the reverse. The depth of the toning does not diminish the high degree of contrast between the mirrored fields and satiny motifs. A bold strike brings out razor-sharp definition on the design elements, and a high wire rim encircling both sides frames sharp dentilation. Well cared-for surfaces render it difficult to discern identifying markers.
This coin is cataloged as Valentine-1, a proof-only variety, as per Daniel Valentine (The United States Half Dimes). The two 1's in the date are slightly lower than the 8 and the 4, a die scratch is visible below the arm holding the Liberty cap, and there is a slight flaw above the D of UNITED. We expect that this specimen's outstanding eye appeal and technical quality will generate spirited bidding among connoisseurs of Seated Liberty proof coinage.
From The Greensboro Collection, Part VI.(Registry values: P3)
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2359, PCGS# 4417, Greysheet# 3854)
Weight: 1.34 grams
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
View all of [The Greensboro Collection, Part VI ]
Auction Info
2014 February 3 - 5 US Coins Signature Auction - New York #1202 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2014
3rd-5th
Monday-Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 8
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,722
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
17.5% 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