1839 50C No Drapery MS64 PCGS. CAC....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Apr 28, 2011 for:

$115,000.00 Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

Memorable 1839 No Drapery Seated Half, MS64
Important First-Year Type Coin

1839 50C No Drapery MS64 PCGS. CAC. The Christian Gobrecht Liberty Seated design debuted on the silver dollars of 1836 with Flying Eagle reverse, spreading to the silver half dimes and dimes in 1837, the quarters of 1838, and the No Drapery half dollars of 1839, before finally ending up more than a quarter-century later on the obverse of the silver twenty cent pieces introduced in 1875. The Liberty Seated half dollar design lasted more than 50 years through 1891, although the No Drapery is a single-year type, and in extreme demand as such.
The mintage of No Drapery half dollars approached 2 million coins, but circulated examples prevail. Even pieces in the lower Mint State grades are very rare (Wiley-Bugert estimate Low R.6 in Mint State), and examples at the near-Gem level of the present specimen are memorably elusive. There are also a few proofs known of the 1839 No Drapery and they are impossibly rare, with fewer than a half-dozen examples known today. The fabulous George M. "Buddy" Byers Collection (Stack's, 10/2006) contained an example cataloged as "brilliant proof, one of apparently 4 known."
The present near-Gem business strike is softly impressed, as usual for the issue, with attractive, softly frosted mint luster. Consistent with the grade, there are few impairments or obvious signs of contact. The only identifying blemish is a reeding mark near the reverse border near 8 o'clock. Each side displays medium-density reddish-golden patina, with accents of blue around the margins. There is no sign of the reverse die cracks that some business strikes and proofs alike exhibit. A memorable Seated half, not soon to be bettered among even the most advanced collectors. Population: 8 in 64, 2 finer (3/11).(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24GK, PCGS# 6230, Greysheet# 6251)

Weight: 13.36 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS