Heritage to Auction Newly Discovered Rarity at FUN

Dallas, Texas: A newly discovered numismatic rarity - the eighth known example of the Overton-102a variety of the 1817/4 Capped Bust Half Dollar - will be offered by Heritage Numismatic Auctions at their official January 3-7 Florida United Numismatists Signature Auction. The coin was unearthed by contractor George Williams, while raking fill dirt in upstate New York. It is considered the second finest survivor of the eight known examples. The discovery of this coin was reported only last month, in the October 24, 2005 edition of Coin World.

Williams had ordered a load of fill dirt to backfill around some foundation work he was doing, and was raking the soil when he heard a 'clink.' His son Nial, 19, turned the hose on the coin and revealed the date. Williams' fourteen year-old coin-collecting son, Cullinan, was ready with his "Red Book" when Dad arrived home that night with the coin. Searching on the web revealed more details about the rare overdate as the entire family became increasingly excited about the find. Williams drove the coin to ANACS, but a final determination had to await ANACS consultations with their experts at the Long Beach Coin Show.

The discovery coin has now been authenticated and certified by ANACS as having XF40 details with some corrosion from what could well be nearly two centuries in the soil. An NGC VF20 example sold in July for $193,359 in a Sheridan Downey auction, and the finest known example, graded AU50, sold last year for $333,500.

"Heritage is incredibly pleased to be offering this exciting coin," commented President Greg Rohan. "FUN is a great venue for selling rarities, and the Bust Half Dollar specialists will be out in force in Orlando to pursue this extraordinary find. We can imagine that numismatists across America will be thinking about their gardening chores in an entirely different light after this coin sells."

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit our Permanent Auction Archives at HeritageGalleries.com. To discuss selling your coins in a future Heritage auction, please call one of our Consignment Directors at Heritage's Consignor Hotline 1-800-872-6467 ext. 222.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit HeritageGalleries.com to order by email.