A stunning example that has my vote as the most important coin in the sale. I’d not seen or heard of its existence until now. Only one mint state `27-144 is known, a wonder coin that Gehring Prouty acquired 30 years ago after it popped up in an Illinois collection. It is graded MS 64. The Scorzafava coin vies with two others for positions 2 through 4 in the Condition Census: 1. The Farley-Meyer-Davignon coin, graded PCGS AU 58; and 2. The Summers-Kahn-Link-Sharfman-Lathan coin, also graded PCGS AU 58. The coin is a museum-quality bust half dollar. The toning is magnificent, featuring electric shades of aqua, gold, copper and related hues beyond my vocabulary. Why only AU 55? Well, the left wing is a little soft. I find no other fault. I do not know when or where Dick found this treasure. It arrived with an NGC AU 55 label (4715171-001) and an old-fashioned brown kraft envelope carrying the name and address of “J.G. Macallister, Dealer in Fine Coins, 1528 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, - Penn’a.” Written on the envelope in pen and ink by a practiced hand are the words, “1827 Brilliant Proof - Ex. Rare in Proof - $25.” Rare indeed! Surely a testament to the eye-appeal and overall quality of the coin. Google tells us that an office building has occupied 1528 Walnut St. since 1929, housing an assortment of professional, medical and culinary tenants. Mr. Macallister, most likely, occupied an office during The Great Depression. I congratulate and envy the next owner of Lot 30. Estimate: $9,000 and up.
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Sheridan Downey, Numismatist 4400 Keller Ave.,
Suite 140, PMB 398 Oakland, California 94605 sdowney3@aol.com (510) 479-1585
