LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 (ANA) Signature Coin Auction #444  / 

1791

1854 50C PR66 NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:30,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1854 50C PR66 NGC
<B>1854 50C Half Dollar PR66 NGC.</B></I> Ex: P. Kaufman. Perhaps the finest proof known, the Kaufman Premium Gem is tied for the grade with one other piece in the NGC census. No finer examples have been certified. The proof 1854 half dollar appears to be the rarest silver denomination of the date. <BR> When Breen compiled his <I>Proof Encyclopedia</B></I>, just three specimens were recorded, with the comment that the half dollar is "about as rare as the quarter." Since he earlier said that the 1854 proof quarter is "about as rare as the dime," all three denominations were equally rare in his opinion. By 1988 he revised his opinion to state "probably fewer than 20 proofs survive" in his <I>Complete Encyclopedia</B></I>. Others suggest that about 10 to 12 survive, a seemingly realistic figure. The proof half dollar is slightly rarer than the dime and quarter, but the often reported figure of just five or six known is certainly too low.<BR> While separated from Liberty's base and the border, the date and arrows are slightly above center in the exergue. The shield point is over the outer left curve of the 8, and 54 are extremely close but do not touch. Similar to Breen's description, but the stars do not have any extra outlines. No unusual reverse characteristics are noted, other than faint clash marks visible just inside the right shield border. Seated coins of various dates and denominations often show similar clash marks.<BR> A wonderful Premium Gem proof with lovely light gold toning at the centers that gradually changes to russet, lilac, and blue near the borders. A slightly uneven strike is indicated by weakness at the upper obverse and lower reverse. The top of Liberty's head, stars 6 through 10, the eagle's left facing left, and the left claw all show weak definition. These strike characteristics are also seen on the Pittman and Starr proofs, and likely on all others. Census: 2 in 66, 0 finer (6/07).<BR><I>Ex: J.M. Clapp; John H. Clapp; Clapp Estate via Stack's (1942); Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. (Bowers and Merena, 4/1997), lot 1958.<BR>From The Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Proof Sets, Part One.</B></I> (#6407)<BR><BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Christian Gobrecht<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>\)
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