Lot 2768
1837 Capped Bust Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-64. Well struck and mostly untoned. The silvery luster on both sides twirls with a somewhat satin texture and is almost iridescent in its sheen. That covers the luster. It appears to us that all minute detail is fully evident on this bold 1837 Reeded Edge piece, including the stars and especially noticeable on the razor-sharp eagle feathers and shield. A winning combination. Pop 80; 47 finer. (PCGS # 6176) .
During autumn 1836, Christian Gobrecht (appointed Second Engraver in 1835 when Kneass had his eventually fatal stroke) completed working dies for half dollars of a new design intended for steam coinage at the new weight standard established by Congress. These reeded edge half dollars of the new issue were the first to be made for circulation on the Mint's new steam press. Steam coinage had been a goal of Mint Directors ever since 1797, when Matthew Boulton originally demonstrated its value by coining over 34 million pennies for the government of George III of Great Britain, more nearly identical (and more difficult to counterfeit) than any similar quantity of coins had ever been.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,200.
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| Realized $6,325 |
