LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Dallas Signature Coin Auction #450  / 

1811

1916-S $5 MS66 PCGS. This coin is a virtual grading le

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1916-S $5 MS66 PCGS. This coin is a virtual grading le
<B>1916-S $5 MS66 PCGS.</B></I> This coin is a virtual grading lesson in itself, providing a sharpness that is startlingly well detailed, and giving the leisurely viewer an opportunity to appreciate the many fine details that are weak or altogether lacking on lesser coins. For starters, the eagle's wing feathers are so bold that they almost have a <I>layered effect,</B></I> appearing as if the eagle had just ruffled his feathers and they had not yet settled back fully into place. The tiny plumes on the breast each appear as individuals, and the long feathers on the lower legs and the rear wing each have a delineation that is sculptural in its three-dimensionality. The several sticks in the eagle's perch are each bold and completely separated, showing none of the slight mushiness that sometimes afflicts this area of the design. Only the mintmark is surprisingly poorly formed. On the obverse, the long plumes that constitute the Indian's headdress also show remarkable depth of detail. Even the lowest toothlike ornament on the Indian's necklace, often unnoticed because it is so weak, on this example is obvious if not bold. Brilliant luster cascades from both sides of this charming golden-yellow piece, although the surfaces are typically fine-grained and somewhat mattelike.<BR> This coin, certified in an old-style PCGS green-label holder, under a loupe shows a couple of thin, parallel straight-line pinscratches in the left obverse field, just beneath the Indian's nose, visible only at a certain angle. The Indian's cheek, however, is nearly pristine save for a single tiny tick. The reverse is devoid of mentionable distractions. A small line of dark toning protruding from the chin is <I>not</B></I> a contact mark, despite appearing to be so. In summary, this is simply a beautiful coin, one of extraordinary quality and lasting appeal. The present populations at NGC and PCGS provide further testament: PCGS has certified three examples of this issue in MS66, while NGC has graded two MS66 pieces, and there are none finer at either service (2/07).<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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