Lot 2251
1853 Half Dollar Octagonal Liberty. BG-303 Rarity 7. NGC graded AU-58. Touches of natural rose color toning rests about the devices. This handsome specimen represents one of the famous Frontier & Deviercy "broad head" Liberty fifty cent pieces with reverse eagle-and-rays design. "FD" in small letters with the date below. 10 stars around. There is repunching at 50. According to Breen-Gillio in their excellent reference book on the California Fractional Gold series, "the rays behind the eagle have induced some students to call this the ‘peacock’ type, but tail feathers are plain below arrow. More likely the rays allude to those on the then new federal silver quarters and half dollars, a few of which may have reached San Francisco briefly before their one-way trip to the custom house." (Admittedly speculative, but this makes for an amusing anecdote.) Extremely rare. Pop 1; 1 finer in 62. Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000
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| Realized $11,213 |
