Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3044 3-4 January 2016
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Costa Rica
Republic gold Specimen 1/2 Onza 1850-JB SP62 NGC, San Jose mint, KM100. Nearly Choice Uncirculated with mild scattered surface contact marks defining the grade, yet amazingly reflective prooflike surfaces, and with nearly fully struck up details (a small depression is noted in the center of the arms, with a corresponding very slight flatness area of strike on the Indian's skirt). As mentioned in the description of our offering of the only comparable example of this issue in the market (Heritage Auctions 8/2015, lot 32173 for $31,000), these two coins represent the best specimens of the Costa Rica ½ Onza of 1850 in private hands (a similar coin is currently housed in the Smithsonian). Both of those two coins show later die-state compared to the present offering pointing to later strikes, in all probability trial strikes with full force of the mint press made in 1857 before the dies were used to issue the second batch of 1850-dated half onzas in 1857-1858 (a total of 16,267 coins were minted in that period). The later die-state is identified by a semi-circled shaped die break at the bottom of the pedestal below "1821" on the obverse, and slightly more granularity on the dies, mostly visible on the Indian Liberty's back leg. On the other hand, the present coin obviously instead constitutes a presentation strike made upon or shortly after the dies were received from famed engraver W. Wyon in 1850: no traces of the die break is seen, and the features of the design are all razor sharp, obviously resulting from recently polished or new fresh dies, while the slight weakness of strike in the centers entirely corresponds to the less powerful minting press used in 1850. We described the aforementioned other presentation piece as "arguably the best available example of the Costa Rica ½ Onza 1850" due to its more complete strike compared to the present, finely pedigreed piece. It all remains a matter of opinion, since the present offering displays obviously fresher and visually more arresting surfaces and entirely comparable eye-appeal. We fully expect it to realize a comparable price since both coins are obviously of similar historical importance. Ex. Hammel (Stack's 9/1982, lot 400) and Lissner (CNG 8/2014, lot 1549) collections.From the Pura Vida Collection, Part I
Estimate: 20000-25000 USD
Republic gold Specimen 1/2 Onza 1850-JB SP62 NGC, San Jose mint, KM100. Nearly Choice Uncirculated with mild scattered surface contact marks defining the grade, yet amazingly reflective prooflike surfaces, and with nearly fully struck up details (a small depression is noted in the center of the arms, with a corresponding very slight flatness area of strike on the Indian's skirt). As mentioned in the description of our offering of the only comparable example of this issue in the market (Heritage Auctions 8/2015, lot 32173 for $31,000), these two coins represent the best specimens of the Costa Rica ½ Onza of 1850 in private hands (a similar coin is currently housed in the Smithsonian). Both of those two coins show later die-state compared to the present offering pointing to later strikes, in all probability trial strikes with full force of the mint press made in 1857 before the dies were used to issue the second batch of 1850-dated half onzas in 1857-1858 (a total of 16,267 coins were minted in that period). The later die-state is identified by a semi-circled shaped die break at the bottom of the pedestal below "1821" on the obverse, and slightly more granularity on the dies, mostly visible on the Indian Liberty's back leg. On the other hand, the present coin obviously instead constitutes a presentation strike made upon or shortly after the dies were received from famed engraver W. Wyon in 1850: no traces of the die break is seen, and the features of the design are all razor sharp, obviously resulting from recently polished or new fresh dies, while the slight weakness of strike in the centers entirely corresponds to the less powerful minting press used in 1850. We described the aforementioned other presentation piece as "arguably the best available example of the Costa Rica ½ Onza 1850" due to its more complete strike compared to the present, finely pedigreed piece. It all remains a matter of opinion, since the present offering displays obviously fresher and visually more arresting surfaces and entirely comparable eye-appeal. We fully expect it to realize a comparable price since both coins are obviously of similar historical importance. Ex. Hammel (Stack's 9/1982, lot 400) and Lissner (CNG 8/2014, lot 1549) collections.From the Pura Vida Collection, Part I
Estimate: 20000-25000 USD