Lot 1876
1921 Missouri Half Dollar, 2 x 4. PCGS graded MS-65. Lovely rainbow toning on both sides. A vibrant and highly lustrous Gem whose rush of surface frost and wonderful color shows this has exquisitely preserved surfaces. All but fully struck, with just a small area of softness on the back and shoulders of the pioneer represented as talking to the Indian chief on the obverse of the coin.
Robert Aitken sculpted the Missouri Half Dollar. The obverse features a frontiersman; some have claimed it represents Daniel Boone, but Boone had died in 1820 at the ripe age of 86. The dates 1821-1921 refer to the centennial of Missouri's admission into the Union as the 24th state. A portion of the issue has a small "2x4" in the field in front of the bust. There are also 24 stars on the reverse, with obvious connotations. Walter Breen, in his encyclopedia on the series, described the reverse motif as follows: "A white frontiersman with rifle and powder horn (apparently on the old theory that 'the only good Injun is a dead Injun') appears to be sending away the Indian, whose shield and peace pipe are mere impedimenta." Net mintage was: with 2x4, 5,000; plain, 15,400. Pop 280; 28 finer, 2 in 65+, 26 in 66. (PCGS # 9331) Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,600
|
| |
| Realized $2,875 |
