Canada: George V 50 Cents 1921 MS66 PCGS,...

Description

The King of Canadian Coins

George V 50 Cents 1921 MS66 PCGS, Ottawa mint, KM25a. No specialized Canadian collection is truly complete without the 1921 Half Dollar-the "King of Canadian Coins," so dubbed by James E. Charlton, one of most recognizable names in Canadian numismatics. A legendary rarity, this jewel of a survivor has spent the last 98 years well preserved, with a dove-gray color that has gently patinated both sides and harvest-gold accents within the recesses. The strike has been rendered boldly, but as usual, areas of softness are noted in the King's features and reverse wreath motif.

The story behind this famed coin has been well-documented in Charlton's Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins. "During the early and mid-1920s the demand for 50-cent pieces was very light: only 28,000 pieces were issued between 1921 and 1929. These are assumed to have been almost entirely 1920s. When a greater demand for this denomination arose later in 1929, the master of the Ottawa Mint decided to melt the entire stock of 1920 and 1921 coins (amounting to some 480,392 pieces) and recoin the silver into 1929 coins. He took this decision because he feared that the public would suspect they were receiving counterfeits if a large quantity of coins with "old" dates were issued. It is believed that the 75, or so, 1921s that have survived came from Specimen sets sold to collectors or from circulation strikes sold to Mint visitors."

So rarely is the 1921 50 Cent offered at auction, especially so fine, yet demand from collectors never wanes. Few enthusiasts are positioned to own such an elite representative, but the winner of this specimen will inevitably choose center placement in his collection for "the King".
Ex. Parrino Collection; Norweb Collection
From the George Hans Cook Collection of Canadian Coinage

Metal: Silver
Diameter: 29.72mm
Weight: 11.6638g
ASW: 0.3oz

More information about Canadian Coins. See also: Canada World Coin Nationality.



View all of [The George Hans Cook Collection of Canadian Coins ]

View Certification Details from PCGS