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1855-O H10C Arrows MS68 ★ NGC. CAC. V-1a....
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Sold on Jun 23, 2014 for:
$25,850.00
Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder
Description
1855-O Arrows Half Dime, MS68 ★
Late-State V-1 Variety, Amazing Quality
Tied for Finest of the Issue
Finest Arrows Half Dime in the Gardner Collection
1855-O H10C Arrows MS68 ★ NGC. CAC. V-1a. Amazing quality is
on display here, the finest of all of Mr. Gardner's 1853-55 Arrows
half dimes, certified MS68 ★ by NGC. Pale baby blue, rose,
and gold in the fields competes with more-intense cobalt-blue and
deep orange-copper on the obverse, while the reverse has a more
consistent bluish palette. There are simply no post-Mint
distractions on this incredibly preserved O-mint Arrows half
dime.Variety: V-1a. Struck from a rusted obverse die, showing some weakness at the denticles on each side and the right arrow weakly punched. The rusting and pitting on the obverse is most prominent at the drapery area. Die State: The later die state on display here shows a considerable die break developing on the head of Liberty and connecting die breaks running right through stars 8-cap-13 and left to stars 4-7. Another noticeable crack runs horizontally along the lower rock to the sandal and rim nearby.
Population Data (5/14): NGC has seen only this MS68 ★ coin and one other MS68 without the Star. None are finer at that service. This 1855-O half dime is also the only MS68 among all of the 1853-55 Arrows issues to have the CAC green approval sticker. The finest 1855-O Arrows at PCGS is one MS67.
Heritage Commentary: In this last year of the Arrows coinage, the New Orleans Mint contributed only about 40% of the previous year's total, 600,000 pieces compared to nearly 1.6 million for the 1854-O Arrows. These amazing Arrows type coins in the Gardner Collection may seem "available" now (we cannot use the word "common") because there are so many top-flight pieces in this auction -- and those to follow. But wait until they are gone, and you will wait a long, long time to see such quality again, if ever. It is important to note that this piece is not only the sole finest 1853-55 Arrows half dime in the Gardner Collection, it is also numerically tied for the finest 1855-O Arrows half dime.
Consignor Commentary: A coin whose beauty fully merits an MS68 ★ grade even though the obverse was struck from a worn and rusted die. The reverse is picture-perfect. The obverse is not sharply struck, nothing wrong but the die has obviously seen better days and seems to be slowly disintegrating. The die crack linking stars 8-13 mentioned in Blythe has become very heavy and extends now through Liberty's head to stars 7-4. The middle part of Liberty's Phrygian cap has been eroded away. There is a small die crack from Liberty's foot to the rim, and the date, particularly the final 5, appears to be fading back into the planchet. Even given all this, the coin is gorgeous and one of the finest, if not the finest known, of the date.
Meditation: Numismatists are history-minded sorts, and a pleasant pastime is to hold a nice coin in the hand of whatever stripe, and to try to imagine who might have held it in the past (often with loving hands, as seen here). Perhaps it was presented to Messr. M.E. Goddard, physician, French aeronaut, member of the Academy of Arts and Industrial Trades, Sciences and Belles Lettres of Paris, and chief aeronaut to the Austrian Government -- a man who, according to the New Orleans Daily Delta of January 1, 1855, ascended in a "balloon containing 26,000 cubic feet of hydrogen and carbonic gas" from New Orleans' Place D'Armes in Congo Square. It was apparently his 233rd such ascent.
Or perhaps it was awarded to one of many veterans of the Battle of New Orleans, fought on January 8, 1815, who met regularly to celebrate their victory, effectively ending the War of 1812 against the British. The 40-year anniversary of that battle, celebrated on January 10, 1855, including 13 "regular toasts": to the memory of George Washington; to the memory of "Our Gallant General" "Old Hickory" Andrew Jackson; and to the Army, Navy, and Militia, among others -- each accompanied by tunes including "Hail, Columbia," "Yankee Doodle," "Jackson's March," "Home, Sweet Home," and, of course, the "Star-Spangled Banner." After the 13 "regular toasts," many "voluntary toasts" were made by individuals, as well. We are quite sure everyone went home happy.
This sparkling little jewel could well have been handed out as a memento to some graying veteran in gratitude by a thankful citizen of the Crescent City, in commemoration of the 40-year anniversary of that momentous battle.
Provenance: Goldberg auction (9/2005), lot 1610.(Registry values: N7079)
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2345, PCGS# 4361, Greysheet# 3819)
Weight: 1.24 grams
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Auction Info
2014 June 23 The Eugene H. Gardner Collection of US Coins Signature Auction - New York #1213 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2014
23rd
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 15
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,740
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
17.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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