8028

1965[50C] Half Dollar Medalet (P-2083), Judd-2134--Struck on a Quarter Planchet--MS66 NGC.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:525.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1965[50C] Half Dollar Medalet (P-2083), Judd-2134--Struck on a Quarter Planchet--MS66 NGC.
<B>1965<50C> Half Dollar Medalet (P-2083), Judd-2134--Struck on a Quarter Planchet--MS66 NGC.</B></I> 5.7 grams. In order to test various metallic compositions for their suitability as a replacement for the 90% silver, 10% copper composition then in use for the Roosevelt dime, Washington quarter, and Kennedy half dollar, the United States Mint prepared a new test design early in 1965. The work of Edward R. Grove, the obverse depicts a bust of Martha Washington facing right, her name spelled out in the lower right field. The word VIRGINIA is at the upper border and the date 1759 is below. The reverse was designed by Philip Fowler and Mount Vernon is the central element. The word MOUNT VERNON is below and the inscription HOME OF THE WASHINGTON FAMILY is around the periphery.<BR> The Mint prepared Dime, Quarter, and Half Dollar dies with this Martha Washington design and used them to deliver experimental pieces on planchets of several different compositions, as listed in Pollock:<BR><BR>1. 75% copper, 25% nickel.<BR><BR>2. Cupronickel-copper (multilayer composite).<BR><BR>3. 50% silver, 50% copper.<BR><BR>4. Coin silver-copper (multilayer composite).<BR><BR>5. Columbium (types I and II).<BR><BR>6. Zirconium.<BR><BR>7. Monel (a nickel based alloy).<BR><BR>8. Nickel-5% Silicon with a magnetic core.<BR><BR>9. Stainless steel (three compositions).<BR><BR>We do not know exactly how many specimens were prepared in each alloy, but we do know that, up until now, only three coins were believed extant. These coins, a dime, quarter, and half dollar, were among those cupronickel-copper composite examples viewed at official government hearings. To prevent the coins from being lost, Eva Adams, Director of the Mint from October 1961 to August 1969, reported that the pieces were embedded in blocks of Lucite. One of these blocks was presented to the Smithsonian Institution, in which all three of the aforementioned examples are still housed. We do not know exactly how and under what circumstances this coin was struck. However, the fact that this piece is an error further adds to its desirability. In a previous auction appearance a metallurgical analysis was included (now apparently separated from the coin) which indicated that the piece has a composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel (negligible amounts of manganese and iron were also listed). This planchet, which NGC weighed at 5.7 grams (the 2003 Red Book lists a weight of 5.67 grams for the copper-nickel clad Quarter planchets of 1965-date), was accidentally inserted between the Half Dollar dies. As a result, the peripheral devices are off the planchet in all areas save for those at the left borders. Also of note are bold clashmarks (as struck)--a curious feature for a pattern coin. It is likely that this error was produced late in the press run after the dies had come together in the absence of an intervening planchet. The surfaces are generally untoned, although one can see some delicate golden iridescence at a few angles. A few ticks on the obverse portrait are noted solely for accuracy, and pedigree concerns compel us to mention a tiny as struck flaw in the center of Washington's cheek. Clearly, this is a coin whose history and technical attributes would afford hours of study. <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</B> Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Since eBay bids are not shown to us until we open the lot on the floor, we treat those bids just like floor bids. In most cases the floor responds before the eBay bid is presented to us, due to Internet lag time, so for consistency we have made it a policy that floor bids are always considered first over tie eBay live bids. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid. </span></font></tr></table></td></tr></table>