Scarce Gem Small Date 1837 No Stars Half Dime

Lot 221
1837. No stars, small date. NGC graded MS-66. This one is frosty and bright and without toning on either side. The small date is supposed to be scarcer in mint state (Breen), but NGC only recently began to differentiate between the small and large dates. The best way to tell them apart is the 1 in the date, on the small date, the 1 has a flat top to the serif, on the large date, the 1 has a tall peak with the serif dropping down at an angle from the center post. Further, the small date die has some die lumps along Liberty's pole arm and her leg below, and usually there is a die crack down through the first A of AMERICA. The strike is sharp and full, and we note that the surfaces and luster are undisturbed. NGC has graded only 45 this high, with just 13 graded higher.
Estimated Value $5,000-7,500.

Superb Cameo Proof 1860 Liberty Seated Half Dime

Lot 223
1860, The Finest Graded Cameo Proof! NGC graded Proof 68 Cameo. This is the only PF-68 graded by NGC, and the best proof PCGS has graded is PR-67 of this date. Hence, this coin likely deserves the honors of the Finest Known of the date, and it certainly is the Finest graded! Simply perfect fields and surfaces and utterly and completely white in color. A monumental grade on such a tiny coin, but with such deep frost and mirror fields, it heartily deserves the attention it gets. Boldly struck and as perfect as one could imagine.
Estimated Value $8,000-10,000.

Gem Mint State 1860 "Coin Without a Country" Transitional

Lot 224
1860. Obverse of 1859, reverse of 1860. PCGS graded MS-66. One of the few Transitional half dimes struck, also known as the "Coin without a Country" as the name United States Of America does note appear on the coin. Deep gray toning with fiery red and blue luster in the fields. Sharp on Liberty, but a few of the surrounding stars and parts of wreath show minor weakness as usually seen. Note the diagnostic die line up to left from the lowest point of the base. One of the finest graded, PCGS has seen 3 this high, with just 7 graded higher, all MS-67 above. In an old green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,500.