1862 50C WB-1 MS(PCGS#572151)

November 2019 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

7257

Grade

MS63

Price

2,280

Lot Description

1862 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. WB-101. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC. This handsome piece exhibits iridescent steel-pink toning on the obverse that deepens a bit at the borders. The reverse, on the other hand, is brilliant within a halo of lovely golden-apricot peripheral toning. Both sides are highly lustrous with a satin to softly frosted finish from the dies. Sharply struck, as well, this is a lovely Choice Mint State example of both the type and issue that is worthy of a premium bid. The onset of the Civil War the preceding year resulted in a precipitous drop in half dollar production at the Philadelphia Mint in 1862, the mintage of this issue amounting to just 253,000 circulation strikes as opposed to 2,887,400 pieces for the 1861. Enough Mint State coins have survived to preclude the 1862 being classified as a major rarity, but it does number among the scarcer and more underrated No Motto Liberty Seated issues from the Philadelphia Mint in uncirculated condition. Provenance: From the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. Earlier ex Superior's H.W. Blevins Estate and George Bodway Collections sale, June 1988, lot 5871. PCGS# 572151. Click here for certification details from PCGS.