1739-P 1/2 SM MS(PCGS#158665)

1739-P 1/2 SM MS (PCGS#158665)

The March 2013 Baltimore Auction

详细说明: 1739-P French Colonies Half Sou Marque. Dijon Mint. Vlack-309. Rarity-5. MS-66 (PCGS). 15.43 grains. Mr. Craige called this coin "UNC., Gem, Bright, Frosty Mint Luster," which both fully describes this coin and doesn't. The surfaces have gathered light appealing mustard-tinted toning, richest at obverse periphery around the legend SIT NOM. DOM. BENEDICT. The surfaces pulse with frosty luster and exhibit superlative eye appeal. This type, unlike the sou marque (which would be better identified as a 2 sols or 30 deniers, but old nomenclature dies hard), is rarely found in Choice Mint State. Indeed, PCGS has certified 16 examples of the half sou marque (also known as a billon sol or 15 deniers) in Mint State. Only this piece ever reached the MS-66 level, one other was graded MS-65, and just two each have been graded at the MS-63 or MS-64 levels. For those attempting to compose an early American type set in the highest possible grades, this coin would be tough to top. The Ford Collection did not include a half sou marque from the Dijon Mint, and just one example of this denomination in the whole collection was graded Uncirculated.