2003, Orlando, FL. (FUN) Signature Sale #308 - Sessions 3 and 4

1873-CC 50C Arrows--Cleaned--ANACS. VF Details, Net Fine 12. Ex: Berlinghof. Both sides are hairlined and have steel-gray patina, with hints of charco

1873-CC 50C Arrows--Edge Damaged, Cleaned--ANACS. AU Details, Net VF35. The damaged edge appears to be a couple of rim bumps that do not distract from

1873-CC 50C Arrows XF45 PCGS. WB-102. Small Mintmark. Well detailed for an early Carson City product, with murky gray patina over somewhat lackluster

1873-CC 50C Arrows--Cleaned--ANACS. AU Details, Net XF45. Has a solid circulated appearance, but retains most of its original detail. Important notice

1873-CC 50C Arrows AU53 PCGS. Large Mintmark. WB-103. Judging by the fact that the Orlando Hoard contained equal numbers of both the small and large m

1873-CC 50C Arrows AU55 PCGS. Large Mintmark. WB-103. This coin has a refreshingly original "look." Medium intensity lilac-gray patina ove...

1873-S 50C Arrows AU55 NGC. A lustrous specimen exhibiting light overall wear and no serious detracting contact marks. Population: 3 in 55, 9 finer (1

1873-S 50C Arrows MS65 PCGS. While the 1873-CC and 1874-CC deliveries garner considerable attention among collectors, few realize that there are other

1874 50C Arrows--Corroded, Cleaned--ANACS, AU Details, Net VF30, boldly detailed, glossy devices and hairlined fields; 1874 Arrows--Cleaned--ANACS, AU

1874 50C Arrows MS63 ANACS. A brilliant, well struck, and lustrous specimen that has no obtrusive abrasions. Arrows and Motto Halves were only minted

1874 50C Arrows MS67 NGC. This coin was previously offered as lot 8153 in our July 2002 New York Signature Sale, where it was cataloged as: "A ...

1875-CC 50C MS64 NGC. WB-101. There are six known reverse dies for the 1875-CC Seated Half, five of which are grouped under the WB-101 attribution. Al

1876-CC 50C MS62 ANACS. Swirling mint luster dances beneath medium crimson-purple toning. Mottled brick-red color rests gently on the reverse. Importa

1876-CC 50C MS63 PCGS. This coin is attractively toned a light amber-olive around its periphery, and displays nice strike and frosty luster. A pleasin

1876-S 50C AU53 ANACS, richly detailed and with ample luster, a blush of tobacco-brown color on the lower left obverse; 1898 AU58 ANACS, well struck,

1876-S 50C MS63 PCGS. This is an attractive example with slightly subdued luster, sharp strike and admirable surfaces. Population: 34 in 63, 35 finer

1877 50C MS64 PCGS. An appealing, heavily frosted coin with tinges of golden peripheral color. The strike is needle sharp in virtually all areas and a

1877-CC 50C MS62 Lightly Cleaned Uncertified. Hints of color are noted on this mostly white half dollar. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning

1877-CC 50C MS63 PCGS. Dusky gold patina reduces the reflectivity of the surprisingly prooflike fields. A well struck and impressively preserved examp

1877-S 50C MS64 PCGS. Boldly lustrous surfaces lie beneath the attractive toning on this half dollar. Gun-metal gray, blue, purple and a wheaten color

1880 50C MS67 NGC. The Philadelphia Mint used one obverse and two reverse dies to deliver 8,400 business strike Half Dollars in 1880. The present exam

1883 50C--Cleaned--ANACS, Unc Details, Net XF45. Abnormally bright with a multitude of hairlines and cleaning marks. One of only 8,000 business strike

1885 50C MS65 PCGS. The beginning collector armed with only a copy of the Guide Book might be tempted to classify the 1885 as a rare coin. After all,

1886 50C MS64 NGC. Lovely golden-brown and cobalt-blue peripheral patina. A well struck near-Gem that has traces of clash marks (as made) on each side

1888 50C MS66 PCGS. The Philadelphia Mint delivered only 12,001 business strike Half Dollars in 1888--an odd number, to be sure, but still impressivel

1889 50C--Cleaned--ANACS, Unc Details, Net AU50. Untoned overall, myriad hairlines are reported on both sides. Still, a scarce late date in this serie

1890 50C MS66 NGC. Devoid of toning, the surfaces are brilliant-white in sheen with nary a distracting bagmark to report. The strike is sharp, if not

1891 50C MS66 NGC. Although business strike production of 1891 Half Dollars was substantially increased from issues in the preceding decade, the numbe

1859 50C PR67 NGC. There are at least three different die marriages of the proof 1859 Seated Half. The present example is attributable by the presence

1859 50C PR64 Cameo PCGS. Dappled orange-tan shadings adorn the peripheries with some hazy silver-gray colors in the same areas. The centers are large

1860 50C PR67 NGC. Formerly sold as lot 6204 in our 2001 Atlanta Sale, where it was described as, "This is the finest 1860 proof half we have a...

1862 50C PR65 PCGS. Seldom do we offer an 1862 Seated Half that combines high technical quality with blatant originality as elegantly as the present G

1864 50C PR66 Deep Cameo NGC. Ex: P. Kaufman. In the 1993 book The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dollars, Randy Wiley and Bill Bugert assert t

1866 50C PR66 PCGS. Ex: Benson. The toning that graces the peripheral areas of this razor sharp Gem really needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. O

1867 50C PR66 PCGS. Ex: Benson. The toning distribution is similar to that seen on the Benson specimen of the proof 1866 Motto Half that we are also o

1867 50C PR65 Cameo PCGS. Not only is the proof 1867 a conditionally challenging issue that is difficult to locate as a Gem, but it has a low certifie

1868 50C PR67 NGC. Ex: P. Kaufman. The fully brought up devices, reflective fields, and knife-like rims all confirm this coin's status as a proo...

1869 50C PR63 PCGS. An attractive example of this proof issue. The toning in shades of iridescent amber, blue, and green lend a two-toned effect to th

1869 50C PR66 NGC. The 1869 business strike is a fairly scarce item, even though 795,900 pieces were produced. Only 600 proofs were struck, and this w

1871 50C PR65 PCGS. There are two different looks on the obverse and reverse of this proof 1871 Seated Half. The former side is richly toned in lavend

1873 50C No Arrows PR67 NGC. Ex: P. Kaufman. All 600 proof 1873 No Arrows Halves produced display a Closed 3 in the date. Breen (1977) notes that thes

1873 50C No Arrows PR66 Deep Cameo PCGS. One would be hard pressed to find survivors of this proof 1873 Half Dollar delivery that are more stunning th

1873 50C Arrows PR66 NGC. Formerly sold as lot 6216 in our 2001 Atlanta Sale, where it was described as, "Impeccable mirrored surfaces are enve...

1873 50C Arrows PR66 PCGS. This lot represents an important bidding opportunity for the first-year type collector. It is also an opportunity to acquir

1874 50C Arrows PR64 PCGS. Russet-gray and rich, blue peripheral toning frames the boldly detailed devices on this half dollar. Important notice: We e

1874 50C Arrows PR64 Cameo PCGS. Thin rings of cobalt-blue and reddish-russet patination encircle both sides of this otherwise silver-gray specimen. N

1875 50C PR65 PCGS. Originality is a hallmark of this richly toned and carefully preserved Gem. The otherwise charcoal-copper color yields to splashes

1876 50C PR65 PCGS. Business strike Halves of this date are known with both the Variety One and Variety Two tail hub varieties. Writing in 1977, howev

1876 50C PR66 NGC. Ex: P. Kaufman. Although 1,520 proof Seated Half Dollars were struck in 1876, a mintage figure of 1,150 pieces is generally regarde

1878 50C PR64 ICG. Highly reflective surfaces and notable cameo contrast make this near-Gem an appealing item. Fully struck, as expected for a proof r

1878 50C PR65 PCGS. This originally preserved specimen striking displays well blended copper-gray and cobalt-blue peripheral shadings around silver-gr

1879 50C PR61 PCGS. Fully brilliant and nicely mirrored. This coin has a lot of flash for the grade. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots

1879 50C PR67 Cameo NGC. Ex: Genaitis. This coin was previously offered as lot 6222 in our 2001 Atlanta ANA Signature Sale, where it was cataloged as:

1879 50C PR67 Deep Cameo PCGS. There is little more that we cay say about the date 1879 in the Seated Half Dollar series that we have not already said

1880 50C PR67 NGC. Ex: P. Kaufman. Under the "Comments" header in the book The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dollars, Wiley and Bu...

1881 50C PR65 PCGS. The borders have iridescent navy-blue and mauve-violet patina, while the centers have lighter golden-brown color. A carefully pres

1881 50C PR66 Cameo PCGS. This coin was previously offered as lot 6227 in our 2001 Atlanta ANA Signature Sale. The description in that catalog read:...

1882 50C PR64 PCGS. A razor-sharp near-Gem with details on the arrow feathers that are rarely if ever visible on business strike examples. The surface

1882 50C PR65 Cameo PCGS. Untoned save for the palest suggestions of golden-gray iridescence at the denticles, this fully brought up Gem is devoid of

1883 50C PR63 PCGS. A well struck piece that has clean surfaces and deep apple-green and gold patina. Only 1,039 proofs were issued, and survivors are

1884 50C PR63 NGC. The 1 in the date is lightly repunched near the base. Iridescent electric-blue, golden-brown, and champagne-rose colors appear at t

1884 50C PR66 PCGS. This coin was previously offered as lot 6877 in our September 2002 Long Beach Signature Sale, where it was cataloged as: "T...

1885 50C PR66 Cameo NGC. This sparkling-white Gem combines richly frosted devices and deeply mirrored fields for a bold cameo contrast. Not only are t

1886 50C PR67 NGC. Ex: P. Kaufman. The proper angle is critical for appreciating the aesthetic appeal of this originally toned Superb Gem. When held u

1886 50C PR67 NGC. An exceptional, deeply toned example of this scarce, low total mintage issue--one of two pieces in this sale in this superior grade

1886 50C PR66 Cameo NGC. The 1886 Half is a rare issue in both business strike and proof format with only 5,000 and 886 pieces produced of each respec

1887 50C PR66 Cameo NGC. Untoned save for the lightest blushes of golden iridescence at the denticles, this smooth, virtually pristine Gem glistens at

1888 50C PR68 NGC. Any high grade 1888 proof Half Dollar is important as this issue is scarcer than its already low mintage of 832 pieces would indica

1889 50C PR67 Cameo NGC. Untoned, silver-white features are well frosted over the devices and deeply mirrored in the fields. The surfaces are silent o

1891 50C PR68 Cameo NGC. Ex: P. Kaufman. This year marks the last in which Christian Gobrecht's Seated Liberty appeared on the Half Dollar. Prod...

1892 50C MS65 PCGS. This crisp, original Gem is awash with attractive gun-metal gray and blue toning. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lot

1892 50C MS67 NGC. This is the first MS67 representative of this always-popular first-year Half Dollar to appear in one of our Signature Sales in at l

1893-O 50C MS63 ANACS. A charming example of this early New Orleans Mint, Barber Half Dollar issue, with sharp strike and deep gray patina highlighted

1895-O 50C MS63 PCGS. The dusky sea-green and lilac patina is both original and attractive. A sharply struck piece with good luster and a seemingly pr

1895-S 50C MS66 NGC. With a limited original mintage of 1.1 million pieces and an undoubtedly high rate of circulation, the 1895-S is an elusive issue

1896-S 50C MS63 NGC. This is a scarce issue in all grades with just 1.1 million pieces produced. The present example displays dominant steel-gray pati

1897-S 50C MS65 NGC. Despite a slightly higher mintage of 933,900 pieces, the 1897-S is roughly equal in rarity to the 1897-O (632,000 coins delivered

1898-S 50C--Cleaned--ANACS, AU Details, Net XF45, medium gray color partially obscures the unnatural brightness from the cleaning; and a 1915-S--Clean

1899 50C--Cleaned--ANACS, AU Details, Net XF45, silvery-gray toning that is usually seen on circulated coins has returned to the surfaces and the devi

1899-S 50C AU50 ICG. The 1899-S is a scarcer issue in AU and better condition. This piece is well defined and each side is covered with even gray-rose

1899-S 50C MS62 ANACS. With frosted centers and peripheral iridescence, this is an attractive example of this final San Francisco Half Dollar issue of

1901 50C MS64 PCGS. The boldly struck and lightly abraded dove-gray centers of this impressively preserved near-Gem are encircled by peripheral dark-o

1901-O 50C MS65 NGC. Only 1.1 million pieces were struck of the 1901-O Barber Half. But that low mintage only tells a part of the story. Most examples

1905-O 50C MS64 NGC. Pleasing cartwheel luster penetrates the deep and original lavender-gray patina. The Eagle's right (facing) shoulder has th...

1905-O 50C MS64 PCGS. Although not fully struck, this lavender-gray near-Gem has sharper definition on the arrow feathers and eagle's right (fac...

1905-S 50C MS65 PCGS. The 1905-S may not immediately come to mind as a Barber Half Dollar rarity, but it is surprisingly scarce in top grades and seld

1906-S 50C MS64 PCGS. This issue's original mintage of 1.7 million pieces is not among the lowest in the Barber Half Dollar series. Still, the 1...

1907 50C MS63 PCGS. Despite a few obverse contact marks, a very attractive and presentable specimen of this date. Important notice: We expect to be au

1907 50C MS64 PCGS. Mottled charcoal-gray toning on the obverse and also on the reverse peripheries does little to hinder the toning on this half doll

1908 50C AU55 ANACS, light yellow-gray color, abundant luster, an attractive Choice AU coin; 1914--Tooled, Cleaned--ANACS, XF Details, Net VF20, laven

1908-D 50C MS65 PCGS. The 1908 is the third year of issue for the Denver mint and more than 3 million Half Dollars were struck in that facility that y

1908-O 50C MS65 PCGS. The 1908-O is a curious issue. Some 5.3 million pieces were produced and yet, as available as circulated coins are, Mint State p

1909-O 50C MS64 PCGS. Produced in limited numbers (925,400 pieces) and well known as a condition rarity, the 1909-O is also desirable due to its statu

1910-S 50C MS67 NGC. While the 1910-P was produced in significantly lower numbers (418,551 pieces vs. 1.9 million pieces), the 1910-S is the more diff

1912 50C MS63 PCGS. Full frosty surfaces with sharp strike and complete detail. This is a very attractive example of this business strike issue. Popul

1912 50C MS64 PCGS. Sharply struck, with booming luster and a few random hairlines, this coin has a most attractive appearance for the grade.From the

1912 50C MS64 PCGS. One obverse spot on the denticles at 1 o'clock, and couple of contact marks in the field in front of Liberty's face, pro...

1912-D 50C MS64 NGC. The obverse has rich yellow-green patina, while the reverse has light lilac-olive color. A lustrous near-Gem that has a nearly pr

1913 50C MS66 PCGS. Beginning in 1913 and continuing through the end of the series in 1915, the Philadelphia Mint's yearly delivery of Barber Ha...

1913-D 50C MS64 PCGS. A very attractive example, with full luster giving the initial impression of a higher grade.From the Collection of Colonel Carmi