Lot 713
1837. No stars, large date. PCGS graded MS-64 CAC Approved. Well struck with delicate golden toning. Lustrous and showing all the finer details. In an old green label holder. The creator of this coin, Christian Gobrecht, must have been full of pride to see his first provisional coin drawings rendered into these beautiful silver Half Dimes and Dimes of 1837-1840. By using a blend of diaphanous dress for Liberty and no stars, combined with a leaning shield and curving LIBERTY ribbon, he succeeded better than any predecessor mint engravers in portray the spirit of America's great calling. This lovely half dime nicely liberates that feeling. But beauty, like success, is fleeting; in 1840, the mint's officialdom in their powerful wisdom decided Gobrecht's vision wasn't quite clear enough. They commissioned Robert Ball Hughes to "sanitize" it. Imagine Gobrecht's embarrassment! He must have pinched his nose in horror at the mauling his gentle, delicate design received on post-1840 coinage. Luckily, there are still a few pleasing MS64 examples like the present coin surviving to remind us of Gobrecht's proficiency, his genius, his vision. Pop 140; 102 finer (PCGS # 4311) .
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,300.
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| Realized $1,610 |
