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1855/54 50C PR63 NGC. Walter Breen knew of just three 1855/54[50C] PR63 NGC.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:110.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1855/54 50C PR63 NGC. Walter Breen knew of just three 1855/54[50C] PR63 NGC.
<B>1855/54<50C> PR63 NGC.</B></I> Walter Breen knew of just three Proof examples of this issue, stating that Proofs were discovered by Q. David Bowers. Perhaps a couple additional examples have been found since the time of his <I>Proof Encyclopedia.</B></I> We sold an example in our September 2002 Long Beach sale, the second example that we have handled prior to the current offering. At the time, we noted both the diagnostics, and the current roster as best we could determine.<BR> Diagnostics of this rare proof delivery are:<BR><BR> 1. Upper and lower loops of the 8 in the date are open.<BR><BR> 2. Tiny rust pit on the upright of the 1 in the date to the right of the crossbar.<BR><BR> 3. Scattered die file marks within the white stripes of the reverse shield (these fade on later strikings).<BR><BR> 4. Die file marks in the reverse field between the tip of the eagle's left (facing) wing and the olive leaves.<BR><BR> 5. Eagle's right (facing) wingtip is joined to the uppermost arrow shaft.<BR><BR>The present coin from the Reiver Collection displays all of these diagnostics, except the first, with remnants of the underdate evident under the final three digits. This example also exhibits remnants of the previous date <I>on the top surface</B></I> of the final digits, as well as the arrowheads.<BR> It is believed that approximately 23 proof 1855 Arrows Seated Halves are extant, at least three of which (per Wiley and Bugert) are from the 1855/54 overdate die. This pleasing Proof is appreciably bright in the fields with hazy silver toning on both sides. All devices are sharply impressed, and we can find no outwardly distracting blemishes. A tiny diagonal mark in the reverse field, between the top of the left (facing) wing and the beak, will serve for pedigree purposes.<BR> We are aware of the following proof 1855/54 Half Dollars:<BR><BR> 1. Ex: FUN 2001 Signature Sale--The Richard Allen Collection (Heritage, 2/01), lot 7822. Certified PR61 by PCGS. Is this the "impaired" example that Breen (1977) says was once owned by Ted Clarke?<BR><BR> 2. Ex: The Chicago Sale (Superior, 8/91), lot 516. Certified PR63 by PCGS.<BR><BR> 3. Ex: E. W. Ropes Collection (New York Stamp and Coin Co., 2/1899); J. M. Clapp; John H. Clapp; Clapp Estate (1942); Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection (Bowers and Merena, 4/97), lot 1962. The coin was described as PR64 by Bowers in the Eliasberg catalog.<BR><BR> 4. Ex: The Rarities Sale (Bowers and Merena, 8/96), lot 137; The Dr. Juan XII Suros Collection of United States Overdate Coinage (Superior, 2/99), lot 200; October 2000 Pre-Long Beach Sale (Superior, 10/2000), lot 4378.<BR><BR> 5. Ex: The Norweb Collection (Bowers and Merena, 11/88), lot 3166; Baltimore '93 Auction (Superior, 7/93), lot 428. Certified PR65 by PCGS at the time of the latter sale.