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Sale 39
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Lot 1443
1854-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. NGC graded MS-68. Encased in NGC holder 1601370-001. Absolute perfection! Looking for thew finest arrows half? This must be it.! Immaculate frosty surfaces overlaid with pale violet toning. This is the most incredibly beautiful seated Liberty half dollar of any year or Type that this auctioneer had ever had the pleasure to offer for sale. It is tied for finest-known honors among the few high-end survivors of the 1854-O Arrows delivery, with only one other NGC MS-68 example reported. Additionally, this coin is one of just three Arrows, No Motto halves to have received an Mint State 68 rating from the major certification services, and one of only 17 Seated Halves at this grade level (all types and issues combined). The surfaces are extraordinarily smooth with not even a single detracting abrasion present. Both sides emboldened with original mint frost, the surfaces exhibit an attractive satin sheen at all angles. The overall impression is full and well above average for an O-mint issue that is sometimes poorly made, often the result of overworked dies. Finally, this coin is originally toned with the reverse beautifully covered in steel-gray, silver-gray and iridescent-pink shades and the otherwise brilliant obverse adorned with streaks of the two former colors. The Type collector or sophisticated buyer seeking a stellar representative of this important two-year Type need look no further than this beautiful Superb Gem. Combined PCGS and NGC Population: just 2; 0 finer.
This may be the most plentiful issue of the short-lived Arrows, No Motto seated half dollar type. The original mintage (5.2 million pieces) is greater than that of the 1854, 1855, 1855-O and 1855-S, and examples can usually be obtained without too much patience required on the part of the buyer. Most survivors, however, tend to be circulated (Good, VG and Fine are plentiful grades). The '54-O Arrows can be frustrating to locate at the higher levels of Mint State preservation. Coins that grade at or above Mint State 64 are quite rare from a market availability standpoint, if not in an absolute sense.
Although an attractive design, the Arrows & Rays seated half dollar was very difficult to strike. This resulted in excessive die breakage. The Mint, therefore, faced a quandary. On the one hand, it had to simplify the design in order to prolong die life. On the other, Mint officials felt that a unique mark was needed in order to bring into the light the new weight standard authorized in early 1853. The decision was a compromise, with the reverse rays being removed but the obverse arrows remaining at the date. The Arrows, No Rays design was produced in 1854 and 1855, the type including just five issues and a single overdate: 1854, 1854-O, 1855/4, 1855, 1855-O and 1855-S. Pop 2; none finer.
Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000.
Ex Knoxville Collection.
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| Realized $69,000 |
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