Stack's Bowers Galleries

August 2024 Global Showcase Auction  –  12 - 23 August 2024

Stack's Bowers Galleries, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction

Ancient and World Coins and Currency

Part A: Mo, 12.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part B: Mo, 12.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part C: Mo, 12.08.2024, from 10:00 PM CEST
Part 1: Tu, 13.08.2024, from 1:00 AM CEST
Part 2: Tu, 13.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 3: Tu, 13.08.2024, from 10:00 PM CEST
Part D: We, 14.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 4: We, 14.08.2024, from 9:00 PM CEST
Part 5: Th, 15.08.2024, from 5:00 PM CEST
Part E: Fr, 16.08.2024, from 5:00 PM CEST
Part 6: Fr, 16.08.2024, from 9:00 PM CEST
Part 7: Sa, 17.08.2024, from 5:00 PM CEST
Part F: Sa, 17.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 8: Mo, 19.08.2024, from 7:00 PM CEST
Part G: Tu, 20.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 9: Tu, 20.08.2024, from 7:00 PM CEST
Part H: Tu, 20.08.2024, from 8:00 PM CEST
Part 10: We, 21.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part I: We, 21.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 11: Th, 22.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part J: Th, 22.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part K: Fr, 23.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 12: Fr, 23.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

1852 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. WB-1. Rarity-4. MS-64 (PCGS).
If Liberty Seated half dollars are your specialty, here is one of the most important offerings in the present sale -- quite a statement in view of the overall quality of the present event! The 1852 half dollar is challenging to find in any high grades and at the near-Gem level is rarely encountered. Each side presents a bright, essentially untoned appearance, save for the barest hint of pastel-golden color here and there on the obverse. The strike is bold, as the eagle's talons and all of Liberty's dress folds are sharp. Mintage for the entire year dribbled to 77,130 pieces from the Philadelphia Mint, a sharp reflection on the market changing effects of the California Gold Rush. The flood of gold coming to market had the predictable effect on the price of silver -- it rose relative to gold, so much that silver coins were soon worth a seven percent premium over the stated face value and silver coins were not spent, but melted for the profit over face value. Something had to be done, and the Act of February 21, 1853 was passed by Congress, reducing the amount of silver content in coinage on all fractional denominations, bringing their face value slightly above their silver melt content value. However, for the half dollars struck prior to this date it was too late and the vast majority ended up melted. Somehow the present coin was held aside, and through considerable care retained the Gem level of surface quality. Destined to be a highlight in any advanced collection for this piece has it all, appearance, surfaces and rarity.
PCGS# 6268. NGC ID: 24HL.
PCGS Population: 8; 6 finer (Mint State-66 finest).

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Bidding

Price realized 5'000 USD
Starting price 1 USD
Estimate 5'000 USD
The auction is closed.
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