1803 50C Small 3 MS(PCGS#6067)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

3065

等级

MS62

价格

514,132

详细说明

Tompkins Die Stage 3/3. A lovely Mint State specimen of this challenging Overton number, the finest for the variety cited by Stephen J. Herrman in his study of early half dollar offerings until our May 2015 Pogue I Sale. Intact cartwheel luster encircles beautifully toned surfaces, principally steel-olive and mauve-gray but enlivened with rose undertones in the obverse field, cobalt blue and antique gold undertones on the reverse. Extraordinarily attractive for the assigned grade, with a minimum of surface marks and minor hairlines. The sum total description of the flaws of this coin when cataloged in 2002 was "a few light surface marks are noted, but all are insignificant" - a reasonable assessment. Our magnified study of the coin for this current offering revealed a dull nick on Liberty's chin, a microscopically thin scratch from Liberty's ribbon to the nose that will not show up in the photo and could easily be missed when examining this piece in hand, and a tiny raised speck left of the digit 8 in the date. The eye appeal is easily that of a grade or two finer. The eagle's head is soft, as struck and as usual, with the only obverse softness in the stars along the left border and at the tips of Liberty's lowest hair curls and a single lock below the bow. The central reverse is marvelously defined, especially at the eagle's breast.<p>The Queller sale cataloger noted that only the Reed Hawn coin could be cited as a finer specimen of the 1803 Small 3 variety than that offered here. This proved accurate, as the Reed Hawn coin reappeared in our May 2015 sale of the D. Brent Pogue Collection, in which it was certified MS-64 by PCGS; it realized $188,000. The present specimen also boasts an impressive provenance that includes two of the greatest collections of 19th century U.S. half dollars ever formed, those of the Queller Family and Eugene H. Gardner. Later part of the memorable Jim O'Neal Collection of U.S. Half Dollar Types, this outstanding 1803 O-104 is eagerly awaiting inclusion in another world class numismatic cabinet.