1839-O 50C GR-4, RPM MS(PCGS#531109)

1839-O 50C GR-4, RPM MS (PCGS#531109)

August 2018 Mail Bid Auction 47

Description du lot: Ex Dr. Charles Link. This important coin provides a fitting end to an extraordinary auction. It is the 2nd finest known of a rare die pair. The mildly prooflike surfaces are untoned, with a smattering of hairlines from short term circulation. A medallic turn of the dies, found here, is common to this die pair. A fully prooflike PCGS MS 63 GR-4 (with medallic turn) recently surfaced, after hibernating in a private collection for 35+ years. Dr. Link was first in line when it became available. Walter Breen saw that coin some years before it was offered (as a branch mint proof) by New England Rare Coin Auctions in its March 1982 Metropolitan NY Sale, lot 1419. Your cataloger was the lucky buyer! (Sadly, I parted with it later that year.) Breen mistakenly thought the coin to be a proof and espoused a theory that all 1839-O proofs would come with a medallic turn. Later research, incorporating information regarding the more famous 1838-O proofs, put the kibosh to Breen’s supposition. Est. $2,000 and up.