LOT Heritage Rare Coin Galleries  /  2007 Jan (FUN) Heritage Signature Coin #422  / 

948

1794 50C AU55 PCGS. O-103, High R.5. This is the Floyd

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:5,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 2.00 USD
1794 50C AU55 PCGS. O-103, High R.5. This is the Floyd
<B>1794 50C AU55 PCGS.</B></I> O-103, High R.5. This is the Floyd T. Starr example, listed as #1 in the Condition Census compiled by Stephen J. Herrman in his Autumn 2006 <I>Auction & Mail Bid Prices Realized for Bust Half Dollars 1794-1839.</B></I> The #2 entry in the Condition Census is listed as 30/30, a full 25 points less than the 55/55 grade given to the Floyd piece. In its Starr catalog appearance, the present coin was headlined as "Probable Finest Known," a statement that appears even more likely today, more than 14 years later. The well-written Starr catalog description continues, "Both sides light golden brown and pale gray. Surfaces brilliant and semi-prooflike. Almost all hair strands sharp and separate, most stars sharp, full denticles. Full profile, mouth and eye details sharp. All date numerals bold. Reverse typically struck on breast and left leg, most leaves in wreath show interior detail. Edge lettering complete, not blundered." A few moderate mint-made horizontal adjustment marks cross the central reverse, although these were considered important enough to be mentioned by the Starr cataloger. A thin vertical mark behind the eye is also of only minor consequence. 1794 half dollars are seldom found with substantial remaining luster, but this memorable example displays considerable mint sheen within the hair curls and eagle's plumage. In addition, luster brightens the wreath, stars, and legends. As the finest known Overton-103 by a wide margin, and as a high grade representative from the first year of half dollar production, the importance of this offering cannot be overstated.<BR><I>Ex: Beistle; Colonel Green; "A Gentleman's Study Collection" (Coronet Coin Co., 3/69), lot 95; Floyd T. Starr (Stack's, 10/92), lot 518.</B></I><BR><I>From The Essex Palm Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coin/Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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