Lot 719
Half Eagle. 1828/7. NGC graded MS-63. This is the second finest graded of this extremely rare date. Attractive copper-orange toning around the stars and legends with more than 50% luster in the fields. A few stars are not quite fully struck, but the hair over Liberty's ear and hair waves around her cap are full and complete. Similar on the reverse, with the eagle, shield and lettering all fully struck.
Our consignor purchased this coin from Superior in 1996 from the famous Michael L. Keston Collection Sale, Lot 118, prior to that the coin was offered in Auction '80, Lot 927; and various Stack's sales including Wolfson, 1962; Baldenhofer, 1955; and Bell, 1944 and possibly in the DuPont holdings. One other specimen has been traced, it is the Suros 1999, which is believed to trace earlier to ANA 1976; Smith 1955; Farouk 1954; Lee 1947, Col. E. H. R. Green, Waldo C. Newcomber and Flanagan 1944 piece. These two coins were offered 8 times in Akers extensive survey of 331 auctions since 1921. The only other example is the Eliasberg specimen, from the John C. Clapp collection, earlier from Harlan P. Smith, Chapman Brothers, May 1906. One other big maybe is out there, and probably included above, the Parmelee coin, sold nearly 110 years ago. It is instructive to note that the collecting energy of the Garrett's was unsuccessful in locating a specimen during their decades of searching.
This is the second finest known of apparently four survivors in all, behind only the Suros piece by a point. A foremost rarity in any grade, and seldom offered. Here is an opportunity which eluded the Garrett's and one of the most significant rarities ever to be offered.
Rarer than the 1819 and on par with the 1822 and 1825/4 Half Eagle rarities. In NGC holder #576531-007.
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| Realized $159,500 |
