1883 50C, CAM PR(PCGS#86444)

The June 2011 Baltimore Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

2762

等级

PR68

价格

126,665

详细说明

1883 Seated Liberty Half Dollar. WB-101, the only known dies. Proof-68 Cameo (NGC). Beginning in 1879 and continuing through the series' end in 1891, the United States Mint struck only limited quantities of Seated half dollars for use in circulation. The Philadelphia Mint alone accounted for these meager totals, and it seems likely that the various coinage facilities operational at the time were focused on striking vast quantities of Morgan silver dollars in deference to the terms of the Bland-Allison Act of 1878. An alternate theory, and one that almost certainly helps to explain these low mintage issues, is that the sudden release of older Seated half dollars that had been hoarded during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras diminished the need for new coins of this denomination in circulation. Proof mintages from 1879 to 1891, however, remained more or less consistent with pre 1879 levels and reflected the Mint's perceived demand for these special pieces among contemporary collectors.<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The 1883 Seated half dollar has a combined mintage of just 9,039 pieces, 1,039 pieces of which are proofs. Proofs of this date are&nbsp;generally of high quality, the coins fully impressed with deeply mirrored fields and, usually, the devices well frosted in texture. What separates this delectable Superb Gem from the flock is the exceptionally smooth surfaces evident on both sides. There is nary a distracting blemish in evidence, and an overlay of intensely vivid reddish-gold, orange-copper and cobalt-blue toning further enhances already memorable eye appeal. With no 1883 halves graded finer than Proof-67 at PCGS, this semi unique NGC Proof-68 is one of the finest known survivors of the issue.