Sept. 23-24, 2002, The Pre-Long Beach Auction

Sept. 23-24, 2002, The Pre-Long Beach Auction, Sale 16
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Half Dollars

Capped Bust Half Dollars

Lot 359
1807. Large stars, 50 over 20, O-112, R-1. VF-25. A popular variety for the incorrect denomination on the reverse. Soft gray in color, and evenly worn. Problem free surfaces and appealing.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Gem 1808 Capped Bust Half

Lot 360
1808, O-102a, R-2. PCGS graded MS-65. A knockout gem of this date! The luster is bright and fresh and the coin possess a lovely satiny appearance. The strike is sharp too, with full curls on Liberty, and none of the usual weakness seen on the upper curls or on the wing feathers on the eagle. Naturally, the surfaces are pristine and show only faint signs of handling. Delicate gold toning has formed around the periphery of both sides, but the coin remains mostly white and untoned elsewhere. A later die state with a bisecting vertical crack through the 0 of the date through Liberty and out her cap through the B of LIBERTY to the rim above, which adds interest to the collector. Both dies show light clash marks as well. John Reich's signature notched star is present in the usual location, the final star right of the date, with the outer point with a notch cut out of it. This notched star is believed to have been Reich's "signature" for the dies he engraved, as no initials were allowed (probably a mint policy) at the time on dies.
Remarkably, a this date has been found in gem condition, in fact PCGS has graded 5 coins as MS-65 so far of this date, and even more remarkable, there are 6 more graded higher (best MS-67). A gem of the first water and worthy of a top notch type or date collection.
Estimated Value $9,000-10,000.

Lot 361
1812, 2 over 1. Large 8, O-104, R-1. MS-60. Here is a problem coin, first off, it is toned with magnificent and highly desirable golds, blues and reds on both sides over luster in the fields, however; there are scattered scratches and digs on both sides. Still appealing, but a coin a prospective buyer should study carefully, as the marks are well beyond normal circulation marks, but the coin is still appealing for its color.
Estimated Value $400-500.

Lot 362
1823, O-105, R-1. MS-60 or better. Flashy and bright, with copious luster and a delicate layer of gold starting to form. The fields and surfaces are very fresh, and we expect this coin to bring a premium for the eye appeal. A common variety, but uncommon this nice.
Estimated Value $500-600.

Superb Multicolored Gem 1825 Capped Bust Half Dollar

Lot 363
1825, O-104, R-4. NGC graded MS-67. A magnificent gem example with surfaces that are only surpassed by the more stunning toning on both sides! This coin is simply alive with the fire of mint luster which dances beneath the artist's palette of blues, golds and greens on both sides. Mostly blue on the obverse, while the reverse sports an incredible array of blue, gold and red with some white near the center on the eagle. A coin which anyone can appreciate for its peacock like display, but few could ever hope to acquire such a gem. In top grades like this, it doesn't really matter than this is a scarce die variety, but that just adds more icing on the cake. NGC has graded only 3 examples of this date as such, with none graded higher. One of the highlights of this sale, and we anticipate active bidding when it crosses the block.
Estimated Value $16,000-UP.
From the Chapman's sale of the Wilson collection in 1907.

Lot 364
1826, O-118a, R-2. AU-58. Frosty and bright, with light gold around the edge, and well struck throughout. A very appealing bust half dollar, the only complaint are a few very minor, and expected hairlines.
Estimated Value $400-500.

Lot 365
1827, O-107, R-3. MS-60. A simply gorgeous toned example of this slightly scarce variety. The strike is full and sharp, and the colors are complete and beautiful from the fields to the devices. If you want just one bust half dollar, and want a really pretty one, then here is a perfect type piece for your collection.
Estimated Value $250-300.

Lot 366
1830. Large 0, O-123, R-1. NGC graded MS-64. Excellent color and luster on this coin. Note the blue toning around the periphery with bright gold through the stars and reverse lettering, elsewhere the surfaces are generally white and satiny. Close examination will note only minor handling ticks and a few faint wipe lines. Boldly struck and impressive for the variety, and likely high in the Condition Census for the Overton-123 pairing.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,400.

Lot 367
1831, O-104, R-1. AU-58. Gorgeous luster and toned with a bit of gold around the edges. Well struck and preserved, and from an old time date collection.
Estimated Value $400-500.

Lot 368
1833, O-102, R-1. AU-58. A very choice coin for the grade, with delicate gold toning over lustrous surfaces. One tick in the left obverse field scarcely warrants attention. Highly appealing.
Estimated Value $400-500.

Lot 369
1834, O-109, R-1. NGC graded MS-65. Toned deep blue and gold on both sides over luster, the surfaces are well preserved and we note the coin is sharp on all but the highest design elements. Abundant eye appeal throughout.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.

Lot 370
1834. Small date and letters, O-114, R-1. AU-58. Bright and lustrous with a touch of gold. There is a small edge flaw which may be as made above stars nine and ten. Sharply struck by the dies, very lustrous, and highly appealing.
Estimated Value $400-500.

Lot 371
1835, O-101, R-1. AU-58. Ravishing light gold on the upper left obverse rim, with hints of deeper blue over luster as well. A real beauty for the date collector, and a coin that hasn't been fussed with for years, but one everyone will always fuss over.
Estimated Value $400-500.

Lot 372
1836. Lettered edge, O-101, R-1. AU-58. Splendid color of satiny gray over luster with a touch of blue and gold near the date. Well struck and preserved, with one tiny nick above the ninth star. Well struck and worth a premium bid.
Estimated Value $400-500.

Lot 373
Bust half dollar lot. This lot includes 1812, 1831, 1832, 1833 (2 pieces), 1834, 1835 and 1836 lettered edge. Grades from Good to Fine. Lot of 8 coins.
Estimated Value $220-250.

Lot 374
1837. PCGS graded MS-64. Steel gray toning on both sides with glowing orange luster near the devices. Nearly a gem of this short lived type coin, and boldly struck by the Mint's new steam powered coin press. PCGS has graded 47 as such, with only 18 higher in various grades.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.

Rare Toned Gem 1838 Capped Bust Half Dollar

Lot 375
1838. PCGS graded MS-65 Premium Quality. Light mauve and gold toning somewhat mottled on the obverse, the reverse the toning is around the rim. The dies were lightly cracked when this one was coined, on the obverse through Liberty's upper head, and on the reverse through the left wing of the eagle and down through the denomination. Sharply struck, and very rare in gem grades. PCGS has graded only 7 as such, with a single coin graded higher as MS-66.
Estimated Value $9,500-UP.

Lot 376
1838. AU-55. Bright and flashy, and retoned to a light bluish gold color throughout. Moderate handling marks from brief circulation.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 377
1839-O. MS-63. Dusky steel gray toning over bright luster in the fields. Sharply struck by the dies on this very early issue from the New Orleans Branch Mint. Apparently the equipment was new, and the steam coining press produced coins that boast full stars and curls, as well as sharp details on the reverse eagle. In fact, the dies had worked so hard, that several peripheral cracks can be seen on each die, and most examples of this date have these cracks. The surfaces have some hidden hairlines and we note a very minor pin scratch swirling around in the curls above Liberty's temple. Always a popular date with collectors for the unusual obverse mintmark and short-lived type coin.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,500.

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