Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Bust Half Dollars
1817/3 50C O-101, R.3, MS64 NGC. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. Rings of vivid lavender and sea-green toning encircle the brilliant centers of this luminous Choice specimen. The coin is from an early state of the dies and is sharply detailed throughout. This is important to knowledgeable collectors (weakness around the eagle's head and left wing is a recurrent problem for the 1817/3, but not evident on this example). Excellent eye appeal complements the high technical grade. The silvery surfaces vary a bit from the frosty mint luster usually seen on high grade specimens. We note a few small marks and die clashing on each side.
We also call attention to Eric P. Newman's envelope (which accompanies the lot): 1817 over 13 half. Brilliant Proof. Ext. rare. (See Breen U.S. Proofs.) Turning to Breen's Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Proof Coins 1722-1977 at page 40 we find the text to which Newman's envelope alludes. Breen identifies an 1817/3 half-dollar, "[not too carefully made [for a proof]" with a proof obverse and uncirculated reverse. Breen concludes, "Probably the earliest variety of the year." Is that Breen's way of describing a "prooflike" early strike? Perhaps. Breen goes on to list the provenance of the coin: "Privately placed by New Netherlands Coin Co, ex Newcomer, Green, Wayte Raymond's personal set of proof half dollars." So, despite the notation on Newman's envelope, the Breen coin does not appear to be the one Newman acquired from "Colonel" Green. It is intriguing to think another such "early variety" may still exist.
Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society, Part II (Heritage, 11/2013), lot 33447.
1817/3 50C O-101, R.3, MS64 NGC. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. Rings of vivid lavender and sea-green toning encircle the brilliant centers of this luminous Choice specimen. The coin is from an early state of the dies and is sharply detailed throughout. This is important to knowledgeable collectors (weakness around the eagle's head and left wing is a recurrent problem for the 1817/3, but not evident on this example). Excellent eye appeal complements the high technical grade. The silvery surfaces vary a bit from the frosty mint luster usually seen on high grade specimens. We note a few small marks and die clashing on each side.
We also call attention to Eric P. Newman's envelope (which accompanies the lot): 1817 over 13 half. Brilliant Proof. Ext. rare. (See Breen U.S. Proofs.) Turning to Breen's Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Proof Coins 1722-1977 at page 40 we find the text to which Newman's envelope alludes. Breen identifies an 1817/3 half-dollar, "[not too carefully made [for a proof]" with a proof obverse and uncirculated reverse. Breen concludes, "Probably the earliest variety of the year." Is that Breen's way of describing a "prooflike" early strike? Perhaps. Breen goes on to list the provenance of the coin: "Privately placed by New Netherlands Coin Co, ex Newcomer, Green, Wayte Raymond's personal set of proof half dollars." So, despite the notation on Newman's envelope, the Breen coin does not appear to be the one Newman acquired from "Colonel" Green. It is intriguing to think another such "early variety" may still exist.
Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society, Part II (Heritage, 11/2013), lot 33447.