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| Date | Variety | Rarity | Grade | Description | Price | Photos | ||
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| Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half-Dollars, 1796-1797 | ||||||||
| 1796 16 Stars | O.102 | R.5+ | PCGS Fine Details | Ex John Story Jenks. Offered in Henry Chapman's sale of the Jenks Collection, December 1921, lot 5913. Barry Broyde, BHNC #104, acquired it for $18,400 in Stack's December 1987 sale where lot 537 was offered as a raw VF. PCGS properly notes that the coin was cleaned, not harshly I should add. The coin is nicely detailed for its modest grade. Hints of luster survive in protected areas of the eagle's wings and some letters of the legend. If the time has arrived to fill that gaping hole in your date or type set without shelling out $50,000 or more we should talk. A photocopy of Broyde's Dec. 14, 1987 invoice for the coin is available upon request. PRICE REDUCED! | $34,950 |
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| Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half-Dollars, 1801-1807 | ||||||||
| 1806/5 | O.101 | R.3 | PCGS AU 50 | Cert. no. 43607843. Untoned. Luster stronger through stars and legend. Evenly struck with most breast feathers showing. From Southwest Numismatic Corp., Aug. 22, 1971. | $3,150 |
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| 1806 Over Inverted 6 | O.111"b", T-11 | R.7 | PCGS VF 30 | The coveted terminal die state. Two magnificent rim cuds flank UN and TED of UNITED; a swooping die break bisects the obverse from the rim above ER in LIBERTY to the rim below the 8 in the date. Luster flickers through the stars and legend. The smooth, grey surfaces are free of distractions. The coin was uncovered by Dave Kahn some time ago and sold privately into the collection of Dr. Charles Link. I find no auction record of the piece. In Sept. 2018 Heritage offered an O.111"b" graded PCGS VF 20. It brought $3,480. https://coins.ha.com/itm/early-half-dollars/half-dollars/1806-50c-6-over-inverted-6-o-111-b-t-11-r7-vf20-pcgs-pcgs-148730-/a/1279-3651.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515#. The Kahn-Link coin is a bit nicer. | $3,600 |
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| 1806 Pt. 6, Stem | O.120a | R.4 | PCGS AU 53 | Cert. no. 43698478. Thin halo of copper toning through dentils, otherwise brilliant. Strong luster for a "53" and well struck throughout. Private purchase during the July 1979 ANA Convention. | $2,900 |
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| Capped Bust Half-Dollars, 1807-1836 | ||||||||
| 1807 Lg. Stars 50/20 | O.111a | R.4+ | VF 20 | NEW. A wholesome example of the Bearded Goddess, without her beard. Only the nub of a fledgling "beard"appears on Liberty's chest. The die break through the left stars extends to star 5. The surfaces are smooth, coated with natural light to medium grey toning. Two ticks on the reverse rim, over the 2nd T and 2nd S in STATES, are unobtrusive distractions. Eight years ago I offered this coin in my February 2016 fixed price list. It sold for $1,325. | $1,125 |
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| 1807 Lg. Stars 50/20 | O.112 | R.1 | PCGS VF 30 | NEW. Pretty "battleship" grey toning. Minimal surface marks. Even wear. Just right for the assigned grade. | $745 |
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| 1808 | O.108 | R.3 | PCGS AU 55 | NEW. Pale gold toning through the peripheries, otherwise brilliant. No significant marks. Superior strike. Luster befits the grade. Who doesn't enjoy an AU 1808?! Ex Troy Nelson (The Allstate Collection), Heritage. Jan. 5, 2011. | $2,250 |
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| 1809 | O.103 | R.2 | PCGS AU 58 CAC | Superbly toned in subtle shades of iridescent grey, gold, rose and turquoise. The softly struck eagle's head and upper left wing are standard for the die pair. Color, eye appeal and originality are a winning trio - confirmed by CAC's seal of approval. | $3,250 |
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| 1809 XXX Edge | O.108a | R.4+ | PCGS VF 30 | PRICE REDUCED! A wonderful example of this VERY tough die marriage. The XXX edge is a nice bonus. Soft luster permeates the devices and fields, especially on the reverse. Natural auburn toning contributes to the eye appeal. This is a special O.108a. | $975 |
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| 1810 | O.104a | R.3 | PCGS AU 58+ | An original coin, never wiped or dipped. Silver-grey toning with virtually full luster. Two short drift marks appear under the A and E in AMERICA. The "look" reminds me of the pristine hoard of capped bust halves assembled in the 1820s by the ancestors of George Plimpton and his siblings. See Keith Davignon's essay in the Nov. 2022 issue of the J.R. Journal, Vol. 32, No. 3, p.3, a "must read" if you are not familiar with these remarkable coins. The 1810 offered here came from a similar hoard assembled by James Allaire Millholland (1842-1911). The Millholland collection was disbursed this year by Stack's-Bowers. | $3,500 |
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| 1811/10 | O.101 | R.1 | NGC MS 63 | Glorious gold and iridescent turquoise toning encases the obverse and reverse. Cartwheel luster rolls under the patina. The coin comes from an old time collection uncovered in 2020 by The Scotsman (St. Louis, MO.) and offered at its Nov. 2021 auction. The entire collection was graded and encapsulated by NGC. There is a never ending demand for high grade examples of the 1811/10. Those with colorful toning are especially prized. | $10,500 |
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| 1813 | O.103 | R.1 | PCGS XF 40 | NEW. Later die state, reflected by the weak rims and absence of dentils. Soft grey toning with all devices framed by mint luster. Superior eye appeal. Crossed to PCGS from an NGC capsule attesting to the XF 40 grade. | $495 |
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| 1814 E/A | O.108a | R.1 | PCGS AU 55 | NEW. A "common" die pair yet SO hard to find in grades above VF. Clashed dies and a softly struck eagle are hallmarks of the variety. Subtle splashes of blue and russet intermingle in the fields and devices. You will love the nearly mark-free surfaces. A quality coin for a discerning collector. Ex Heritage's Jan. 2014 FUN Sale. | $4,500 |
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| 1815/2 | O.101 | R.1 | PCGS VF 30 | NEW. Pale grey secondary toning. Remnants of russett album toning circle the stars and legend. Just enought "meat" for the assigned grade. Surfaces abrasions derive from the coin's tour of duty in commerce. No significant marks. | $4,250 |
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| 1817 Punctuated Date | O.103 | R.2 | PCGS AU 55 | PRICE REDUCED! Strong cartwheel luster rolls across the smooth, untoned surfaces. The punctuation mark between 1 and 7 is sharp. A light, vertical toning streak crosses the right side of the eagle. Choice AU examples of this Red Book variety never go unnoticed. This one brought $4,700 in Legend's Sept. 2018 sale of The Konstantine Collection. |
$3,795 |
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| 1817 Punctuated Date | O.103 | R.2 | PCGS Gold Shield AU 55 | Pale grey toning with just the right dose of cartwheel luster. The strike is generally balanced though some weakness shows in the eagle's claws and neck. The centers are framed by high, well separated dentils. Having two choice AU examples of this popular Red Book variety at the same time is a rare and welcome event. | $3,650 |
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| 1818/7 Small 8 | O.102a | R.2 | PCGS MS 61 | An original crust of antique grey toning cavorts with iridescent flashes of aqua and crimson through the stars and legend. This is a connoisseur's coin with full, caky luster. The sole impediment, denyng the coin a choice uncirculated designation, is a scuff at the tip of Liberty's bust, extending into the dentils. Exceptional eye appeal for an "MS 61." The coin brought $6,600 when Stack's-Bowers offered it as part of the Abigail Collection in April 2022, lot 2095. | $5,500 |
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| 1819/8 Large 9 | O.103a | R.3 | PCGS AU 55 | NEW. Antique grey toning with iridescent flecks of gold through the stars and legend. Soft luster throughout. High rims with crisply struck dentils are a nice bonus. | $1,500 |
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| 1819 | O.110 | R.4 | PCGS AU 58 | Even light grey toning. Slightly (for the grade) subdued cartwheel luster. Not a match for Keith Davignon's AU 58 that brought $4,406 in MB 38 but a nice, high grade example of this scarce die pair. Last offered in Bowers & Ruddy's August 22, 1978 ANA sale. PCGS cert # 43607884. TrueView photo copied and displayed here. | $1,625 |
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| 1820/19 Curl Base 2 | O.102 | R.1 | PCGS AU 58 | Stone grey toning, obverse and reverse, with full cartwheel luster and distinctly prooflike surfaces on the reverse. Minor ticks from short term circulation may have denied this one a CAC sticker. It is an old friend. I purchased it at a Heritage auction in 2014 (at $3,525) and sold it to Dr. Tom Sears. Though more common than its square base 2 sibling, no high grade 1820, overdate or not, is to be ignored. Only the 1807 and 1815 mintages are lower in the Capped Bust series. Six of the eight Overton die varieties are also Red Book varieties. | $3,500 |
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| 1820/19 Curl Base 2 | O.102 | R.1 | PCGS AU 55 | NEW. Lightly toned. The reverse is distinctly prooflike. The strike, luster and surfaces are all we expect of the "55" designation. This low mintage Red Book variety won't last long. | $2.250 |
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| 1820 Curl 2, Sm. Date | O.103a | R.2 | PCGS AU 50 | NEW. Steel grey, a hallmark of originality. Luster makes its way through the natural patina. Reverse rotated 20° counterclockwise. Die state students will note the rarely seen break crossing 50 C. Ex David Kahn who labeled the coin "O.103b" in 2012. Consider a phone call to reserve this one. | $1,250 |
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| 1824/4 | O.110 | R.1 | PCGS AU 58 | NEW. Silver-grey with cartwheel luster. Evenly struck with smooth, mark-free surfaces. Last found in Ray and Phil Hinkelman's March 2017 price list at $2,500. | $2,000 |
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| 1827/6 | O.101 | R.1 | PCGS MS 62 | NEW. Basically untoned with full luster and hints of an ancient russet patina. The overdate feature is distinct. An old friend. I recall parting with it at the 2106 summer ANA Convention in Anaheim. | $3,100 |
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| 1827 Sq. Base 2 | O.128 | R.4 | PCGS AU 55 CAC | NEW. A thoroughly original bust half. The deep grey patina glows with undisturbed luster. Whispers of friction on the high points. I have traced the provenance of this piece to the renowned collection of Tim Osborne. No surprise. Tim's eye for quality is legendary among BHNC members. | $700 |
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| 1827 Sq. Base 2 | O.145 | R.5 | PCGS XF 45 | NEW. A long-established rarity. The 1827 O.144 and 145 were struck from the same obverse die. Decent, high grade examples are elusive. This pale grey O.145 was found, unattributed, on eBay 9 years ago. This is its inaugural offering. Do not be put off by weakness in the eagle's left wing and neck. Most 145s come that way. Note instead the sharp dentils, claws, leaves and stem. | $1,250 |
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| 1829 | O.112a | R.2 | PCGS AU 58 | NEW. A technicolor 1829! Multicolored hues of various gemstones glow with gaudy iridescence. This is a showpiece coin. And, oh, nothing wrong with the surfaces either. Don't linger if colorful bust halves are your bailiwick! The coin has been off the market since Dave Kahn offered it in 2011. | $1,000 |
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| 1830 Small 0 | O.119 | R.1 | PCGS AU 58 | Embers of a dying campfire brighten the primeval patina on this original 1830. Nice coin for the date or type collector. PCGS cert #13392017. | $795 |
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| 1830 Large 0 | O.123 | R.1 | PCGS AU 58 | NEW. Brilliant save for beguiling swaths of amber toning at right-side peripheries, obverse and reverse. A flashy 1830! | $850 |
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| 1831 | O.107 | R.3 | NGC XF 45 | NEW. Even medium grey toning. Softness at the lower drapery lines and motto opposite. | $220 |
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| 1832 | O.104 | R.4 | PCGS AU 58 | NEW. Light to medium grey. Luster rolls beneath the toning; we expect it to be more vibrant on a "58." Surfaces exhibit minor clash marks but few signs of contact. | $675 |
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| 1832 | O.106 | R.1 | NGC AU 50 | NEW. Soft luster glistens beneath a natural grey patina. Near mark-free surfaces. A handsome coin. | $375 |
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| 1832 Sm. Lets | O.111 | R.1 | PCGS OGH AU 58 | Silver-grey obverse with a hint of friction. The spectacular, uncirculated reverse displays undisturbed luster beneath a blanket of iridescent pale cobalt and rose toning. An eye-catching 1832, last offered in my May 1996 Mail Bid Sale No. 17, lot 63. Fron the collection of Tim Osborne. | $825 |
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| 1832 Dash Date | O.112 | R.2 | PCGS AU 58 | NEW. Untoned with blinding luster. Early die state, with a crisp "dash" left of the date. Last offered at a July 1976 New England Rare Coin Galleries auction, lot 1067, with tag. | $850 |
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| 1833 | O.105 | R.3 | ANACS AU 53 | NEW. Late die state explains the generally soft impresson. Strong luster. Brilliant centers with a halo of light toning at the rims. The ANACS grade is on the money. | $370 |
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| 1833 | O.106 | R.2 | NGC MS 62 | A pretty one! Even tan and gold toning with abundant underlying luster. Solid for the grade, the reverse being especially nice. Lovely surfaces, decently struck, with a full motto. | $1,350 |
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| 1833 | O.108 | R.1 | PCGS MS 62 | NEW. A thoroughly original "grey dirt" survivor. Booming luster rolls beneath the protective patina. Well struck to boot. In all, a rock solid mint state coin fit for a top flight date or variety set. | $1,390 |
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| 1833 | O.108 | R.1 | PCGS AU 55 | NEW. Attractive grey/gold toning with abundant luster. Very nice surfaces! Formerly in the collections of Donald Parsley and Richard Pugh. (Lot 1518 in Superior's May/June 1990 sale of the Pugh Collection.) | $475 |
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| 1833 | O.109 | R.1 | NGC AU 58 | NEW. Luster sparkles under original antique grey toning. The reverse is exquisitely detailed. Some weakness at the obverse rims. Exceptionally nice surfaces. You must hunt for any signs of friction and will likely come up empty. In all, a high end "58." | $795 |
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| 1833 | O.109 | R.1 | PCGS MS 62 | NEW. Shimmering luster enhances the iridescent grey toning. Sharply struck save for Liberty's lowest drapery lines and the dentils opposite. The surfaces are remarkably free of contact marks. A single hairline under the R of Pluribus is the sole impediment to perfection. | $1,390 |
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| 1833 | O.115 | R.5 | PCGS Genuine (VF Details) | Ex Donald Frederick and Charlton E. Meyer, Jr. A classic rarity, unknown to Al Overton when he published his 1st and 2nd editions in 1967 and 1970. Don Frederick discovered the variety in 1972. Tim purchased this coin from Charlton Meyer shortly after Meyer acquired the incomparable PCGS MS 63 example, ex-Downey-Schertz-Parsley, in September 1999. Meyer told Tim that this coin came to him from Don Frederick, leaving open the question whether it was the Discovery Coin. It now appears that Don kept the lesser quality Discovery Coin (Fine details with altered surfaces) when he sold this coin to Meyer. Frederick’s notes on the discovery piece accompanied its sale by Heritage in April 2010, lot 3308. Dr. Charles Link was the winner, later consigning it to my Mail Bid Sale No. 43, August 2016, lot 72. The Frederick-Meyer-Osborne coin, offered here, has kraft envelope toning that nicely obscures hairlines from an improvident cleaning. The surfaces are otherwise free of distractions. | $900 |
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| 1834 Lg. Date, Sm. Lets. | O.107 | R.1 | PCGS AU 58 | Brilliant with undiminished luster in the fields. Light gold toning highlights the stars and legend. | $775 |
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| 1835 | O.110 | R.3 | PCGS AU 50 | NEW. Brilliant, untoned with soft luster throughout. Stray hairlines but no significant marks. Only the tip of the bust shows striking weakness. From the collection of Don Parsley. | $345 |
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| 1836/1336 | O.108a | R.1 | PCGS AU 58 | NEW. Soft grey toning and full, caky luster. Well struck with smooth surfaces. A solid "58." | $1,400 |
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| 1836 50/00 | O.116 | R.2 | PCGS MS 61 | Another offering from the Millholland Collection, with the same original look and surfaces as the preceding 1810 O.104a. Unbroken, caky luster rolls across the fields and devices. Minor contact marks account for the conservative grade. The R.2 rarity rating is misleading when on the hunt for choice AU or Mint State examples of the "50 over 00." It takes but one hand for me to count the number of UNC examples I've handled. | $3,500 |
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| 1836 50/00 | O.116 | R.2 | PCGS AU 55 | NEW. A high-end "55" with luster befitting a mint state coin. Traces of friction on the cheek and breast, none in the fields. Indistinct dentils, while the centers are decently impressed. An underlying 0 is readily seen left of the 5. As noted above, this popular Red Book variety is underrated in sharp AU and UNC. I was pleased to own and offer this coin in 2017. | $1,900 |
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| Donald L. Parsley Collection of Capped Bust Half-Dollars, 1807-1836 | ||||||||
| 1814 E/A | O.108a | R.1 | PCGS OGH XF 45 | Housed in an old green label holder, this lustrous example is almost sure to grade AU by today's standards. Struck from well-worn dies with few signs of actual circulation. | $2,000 |
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| 1823 | O.109 | R.5 | ANACS EF 40 Details | An R.6 die pair in Overton's 1st, 2nd and 3rd editions. The `23-109 remains a great rarity in XF or better. An improvident cleaning knocks the value of this example down $1,000 or more. Parsley had to pay $2,695 for the coin in the mid-1990s. Even light grey toning. | $1,750 |
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| 1827 Sq. Base 2 | O.124a | R.5 | PCGS AU Details | An important coin with a distinguished pedigree. Henry Hilgard located the coin in the 1980s. He sold it to Charlton Meyer in March 1991 for $2,500. The coin next appeared in my Mail Bid Sale 34, lot 25, August 2009. Dr. Glenn Peterson prevailed at $2,558, When Dr. Peterson sent it to PCGS the graders concluded that it was (lightly) cleaned. It came back with its current Gold Seal label, noting the Overton attribution and the Peterson provenance. The coin was undoubtedly considered for a "straight grade" of AU 53 and may yet achieve that status in a future submission. It shows only light wear and retains generous portions of its original mint luster. In a private transaction, Dr. Peterson sold the coin to Don Parsley for $2,800 a few years ago. PCGS TrueView photo here: https://www.pcgs.com/cert/47089363. |
$2,500 |
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Sheridan Downey, Numismatist
4400 Keller Ave.,
Suite 140, PMB 398
Oakland, California 94605
sdowney3@aol.com
(510) 479-1585
©2024 Sheridan Downey