8752

1928 50C Hawaiian PR64 PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:9,500.00 - 16,000.00 USD
1928 50C Hawaiian PR64 PCGS.
1928 50C Hawaiian PR64 PCGS.<p>Coolidge Specimen. Not only does this coin "carry its own credentials" as one of the rare proof strikings, it also has extensive documentation that trace its pedigree back to President Calvin Coolidge in 1928. The coin has the usual granular surfaces known on all proof specimens. The light gray-brilliant surfaces have toned lime-green, a characteristic often seen on Hawaiian Halves. A couple of very light facial marks are all that keep this coin from the Gem category. Now for the really interesting part, the history. Part of the documentation is a letter from John Coolidge, handwritten on Plymouth Cheese Corporation letterhead and dated December 25, 1973. It reads:"Dear Mr. French, This will acknowledge receipt of your check, for which I thank you. With regard to your letter of Nov. 29th, I have no idea as to the origin of this Hawaii, but I can assure you that the coin belonged to my father, President Calvin Coolidge, and was contained in his collection just as I sent it to you. I appreciate your handling this matter. I assume I will hear further from you with regard to the unsold lots. I should appreciate an estimate of their value as well as a list of them. Seasons greetings. Sincerely, John Coolidge"The coin had been sold the previous month as lot 108 in French's 106th Auction on November 17. It was cataloged as a "rare sandblast proof only 50 of these were issued as Presentation Pieces. This one was presented to President Calvin Coolidge at the time of issue, perfect condition this coin should be worth several thousand dollars today." It realized $2,800. The coin was accompanied by a letter confirming the identity of the consignor, John Coolidge, son of the President. The French's flip is also included with the number 108 written in red ink. The coin was sold by French's to a collector in Delmar, New York (we do not want to publish his name as he may still be living and not wish his name published). This invoice is also included. The coin next appeared in the Madison Estate Auction Sale, January 29-31, 1979, lot 1087. The holder from this sale is also included. A PNG certificate, signed by Larry Goldberg, was issued in February, 1979 confirming it is a sandblast proof. (The PNG certificate identifies the coin as Ex: Metropolitan New York Numismatic Convention, lot 2125, and the flip is included. However, examination of the plate in that Stack's sale reveals this is definitely NOT that coin.) The coin was next sold in Stack's session of Auction '79 as lot 673, where it realized $11,000. A special black plastic holder is also included, identifying it as the Coolidge coin, #21 of 50 struck. There are few numismatic properties that have been sold in the past fifty years that have a more solid, interesting, and historic pedigree than this proof Hawaiian Half.From the Ric Leichtung Collection. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per hour. Sometimes eBay Premier live bid software cannot keep up with that pace, so we strongly recommend that you place a realistic proxy bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Also please note that all Heritage/CAA lots purchased through eBay Premier carry a 20% Buyer's Premium.