LOT #5193 |
Sold on Apr 28, 2011 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
1892-O 50C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. Unc....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Apr 28, 2011 for:
$12,650.00
Bid Source: Internet bidder
Description
1892-O Half Dollar, Unc Details
Possible Specimen Striking
Accompanied by a Letter From Walter Breen
1892-O 50C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. Unc.
Possible Specimen Striking. The strength of the special nature of
the striking of this coin does not rest solely on the Breen letter
that accompanies. Rather, close examination of the texture of the
coin tells the viewer much more than is revealed in the brief
letter from Walter. The fields are deeply mirrored from rim to rim
on each side. This includes areas in the fields between the design
motifs; for example, between the arrowheads on the reverse. Often
on branch mint proof dollars we have examined, incomplete die
polish is seen behind the eagle's head or between the leaves in the
wreath. This piece exhibits none of those signs of incomplete die
polish, a feature that underscores the careful production of this
coin.Comparison is inevitable to the SP66 ★ 1892-O half we offered in Central States two years ago. That coin also displayed no incomplete die polishing. The main difference in the fields between the two coins is that light cleaning has partially subdued the flash on this half, and the reverse periphery is deeply toned. Also, the SP66 coin was completely brilliant. The strike on this piece is notably stronger than on the SP66. Just the slightest weakness is seen here on the eagle's plumage.
On the coin offered two years ago, mention is made of light die cracking on the reverse. We see very slight die clashing below star 12 (not apparent on the SP66 coin), and a microscopic die crack can be seen between the tops of AM. As speculated in the Central States catalog in 2009, this may mean the dies were cracked (and slightly clashed) prior to striking. This seems more reasonable than cracking and clashing after a perfect first strike.
In addition to these two special strikings, there may be a third one. In a Bowers auction from August 2010, an MS62 that was noted with prooflike fields brought $16,100, indicating at least two bidders thought there was something special about that coin.
The letter that accompanies this coin is on FCI letterhead and dated April 19,1979. It reads:
"This certifies that I have examined the accompanying coin and that I unhesitatingly declare it genuine and as described.
"It is an 1892 O half dollar, struck with exceptional sharpness at least equal to that of 1892 Philadelphia proofs, from polished dies, on a polished blank. Without the mintmark there would be no doubt of this coin's proof status. With it, I am still forced to conclude that it was intentionally so made."
Each side has a slight layer of golden-gray patina with deeper color around the margins, which is much more pronounced on the reverse. We are not quite certain why the coin was not encapsulated as a Specimen -- perhaps because of the light cleaning and subsequent subduing of the fields. However, we feel confident bidders will see this coin as a specially produced half dollar from the New Orleans Mint with the first year of Charles Barber's design.
Auction Info
2011 April Rosemont CSNS Signature & Platinum Night US Coin Auction #1154 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
Apr-May, 2011
27th-1st
Wednesday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 18
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,728
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% 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