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Sale 78
January Pre-Long Beach Sale 17.5% BP
| Seated Liberty Half Dimes |
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| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 1048 |
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1856. PCGS graded Proof 65 Cameo. CAC Approved. It has been estimated that as few as 35 to 50 Proofs are thought to survive today, pointing to of higher mintages in 1856 that, while stated as 50 by most authorities, might have approached 100 coins, although the exact number was not recorded.
The date is slightly right of center on the Proof issues, with the shield point entirely left of the 1 and the skirt pendant over the right tip of the 5. That digit is upright and more weakly impressed into the die than the others, also characteristic of the Proofs.
Rich amber toning in the fields surround reddish-gold to dusky lavender color nearest the rim; original silver sparkle shining through on both sides. The 100% concise, full with frosted devices and deep mirrored fields under the attractive toning.
Pop 1; none finer at PCGS. Only 2 graded by PCGS as Proof Cameo. A splendid needle sharp gem with undisturbed mirror surfaces and all delicately toned (PCGS # 84434) .
Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000.
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| Realized
$11,750 |
Lot 1049 |
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1863. NGC graded MS-67. Boldly struck and quite frosty. Struck during the time of the American Civil War in a interval when silver coins did not circulate in the eastern half of the country. It is instructive to note that the San Francisco Mint continued to strike large numbers of Half Dimes, Dimes, and other coinage, which circulated freely in out West -- there having been no hoarding -- while Easterners suffered. This serves to demonstrate how little the economy of the West interacted with outside events. For their part, East Coast merchants resorted to Fractional Currency, Encased Postage, Paper Money, private shin plasters (currency), and Civil War tokens as soft substitutes for hard money. A key Philadelphia Mint specimen from a tumultuous period in United States history.
A strikingly beautiful MS67 specimen that displays frosty luster which blazes around the surface like white lightning. The centers of the coin are a brilliant, bold and virtually alabaster color, with frosted allure spinning and dancing over the surfaces. The strike on the obverse is full, with all of Liberty's features, including the pendant dangling from her skirt, and the lettering of the Legend sharply defined. The only striking weakness is noticeable on the upper-left side of the wreath, a design feature seen on most circulation strike pieces in the Legend Obverse Type from 1860 to 1873. Any abrasions are tiny, muted and more or less indiscernible with the unaided eye. One of only 18,000 coins minted, this is a date long recognized for its scarcity and elusive nature in Mint condition. A near top-of-the-population coin that exhibits a supreme level of eye appeal. Its combination of scarcity, high grade and breathtaking beauty is wondrous. Pop 15; 4 finer, 1 in 67 Star, 2 in 68, 1 in 68 Star.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,600.
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| Realized
$4,113 |
Lot 1050 |
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1870. NGC graded MS-68 Star. Lovely blue and golden toning. The Finest Known for this date. A business strike which has nice contrast between the frosted Liberty/Wreath motifs and more prooflike field surface surrounding. Bold, gleaming, and exquisitely well preserved. The finest reported: Pop 1; none finer at NGC .
Note: Growing use of shield nickels by this year (nickels were introduced in 1866) made half dimes less and less necessary, except on the West Coast and in the Southwest, where the bulk of survivors turned up.
As a result, when the backers of the Mint Act of 1873 were deciding which denominations to abolish as superfluous, they chose to retain the nickel 3c and 5c coins instead of silver trimes and half dimes. (This was at least partly a concession to Joseph Wharton, who had been for two decades continuously promoting the use of nickel for coinage -- from the mines of which he was the owner.) Accordingly, issuing of half dimes ceased in 1873, ending a denomination which had been struck off and on for nearly 80 years.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
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| Realized
$10,869 |
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