Seated Half Dollars
1855-S 50C Arrows, WB-101, Die Pair 2, R.5, MS62 PCGS. The 1855-S Arrows half dollar is a scarce issue in all grades, coming from a mintage 129,950 coins, and it is rare in AU. Uncirculated coins in any grade are Condition Census-level, as just five such pieces are recorded. PCGS reports this MS62 coin and an MS64, NGC lists an MS62, MS63, and MS67 (6/17). The MS61 Gold CAC coin from the Gardner Collection is now the PCGS MS64. We handled the MS67 NGC coin back in 2004 when it realized $92,000 in our FUN Signature sale, lot 2082. The same coin more recently appeared in an August 2011 Stack's/Bowers auction and realized $115,000. The Gardner MS64 coin realized $49,350 in our recent April 2015 Central States Signature sale, after previously garnering $41,125 in the Gardner Collection, Part II when it was still in its MS61 NGC holder.
The present MS62 coin is only the third Uncirculated 1855-S Seated half dollar that we have handled. The strike is razor-sharp, and satiny mint luster illuminates a hint of light champagne toning. No major abrasions are observed. Population: 1 in 62, 1 finer (6/17).
HID02901242017