1896-O 50C MS(PCGS#6475)

The Regency Auction 30

Commissaire-priseur

Legend Rare Coin Auctions

Numéro du lot

172

Grade

MS67

Prix

123 375

Description du lot

FROM THE FORMULA 1 COLLECTION. EX ELIASBERG- STELLAR Legend Rare Coin Auctions is honored to offer the sole FINEST KNOWN 1896-O half dollar that exists. While there were 924,000 halves struck, precious few were saved at the time of issue, and this is a very rare date in any Mint State grade. This pristine example was purchased directly from the New Orleans mint by J.M. Clapp in August 1896. Louis Eliasberg lovingly cared for this SUPERB GEM from 1942 when he bought the Clapp Estate. This magnificent SUPERB GEM was described in in the April 1997 auction of the Eliasberg Collection, in part as: "A superb gem example of one of the most highly prized issues of the series, a piece which ranks among the finest we have ever seen, and could probably just as easily be called full MS-66 or even higher. Certainly the connoisseur will want to cast hesitation aside when competing for this piece, secure in the knowledge that the coin is truly world class." Highly lustrous surfaces have a pearlescent-satiny sheen on that glows on virtually pristine surfaces. A strong glass cannot find any traces of contact any where on the ultra clean fields and devices. Every detail is fully delineated from a crisp, exacting blow from the dies. A pale, clear gold hue is dusted in the centers, gradually deepening to an amber-gold that blends with a flashy electric blue at the extreme periphery. The eye appeal is simply stunning--this cataloger has been mesmerized by the amazing originality and superb quality. The 1896-O half is probably the rarest date in the series to find in Mint State. This example has long been considered one of the finest known, and the PCGS Population lists this stunning coin alone at the very apex of known specimens. PCGS 1, NGC 0, CAC 1. Ex. John M. Clapp Collection, bought directly at the mint; Clapp Estate, to Louis Eliasberg, en bloc, via Stack's in 1942; Eliasberg Collection, Bowers & Merena, April 1997, lot 2077 (realizing $44,000); Stellar Collection; Greensboro Collection, August 2015, lot 4075 realizing $88,125. The current PCGS Price Guide value is listed at $100,000. If you are building the FINEST set of world class Barber half dollars, you cannot complete your mission without this STELLAR coin! DO NOT let this opportunity pass you by! Keep this fact in mind: since it was minted, it has only sold in auction TWICE! Who knows when it will again. Cert. Number 50183259 PCGS # 6475