1809 50C O-110, XXX MS(PCGS#39382)

February 2021 Mail Bid Auction 51

Auctioneer

Sheridan Downey

Lot Number

11

Grade

VF30

Price

1,898

Lot Description

When last offered in June 2000 (as a raw VF 30, MB 25 lot 209) this piece was thought to be the finer of about 10 pieces known.  A few more have appeared, including one with AU detailsand questionable toning (per PCGS) that I was happy to purchase at the sale of Don Frederick’s collection.  (Heritage lot 2901, April 2010.)  Two XF detailshave appeared at auction: Stew Witham’s coin in 2010, described as cleaned, scratched and of questionable color; and a cleaned XF, lot 964 in Stack’s/Bowers Aug. 2011 sale.  That’s it for “high grade” O.110 primes!  This piece may be the best of a tiny group of primes to earn an unqualified grade at PCGS or NGC.  Michigan dealer Wayne Taylor dba Dollars and Sense discovered the coin in 1993.  He sold it to Henry Hilgard who passed it to the consignor in MB 25.  The coin is a pleasing medium grey.  Luster survives in protected areas.  The centers, as always, show striking weakness.  A small area of darker toning atop the cap hallmarks this important piece for future generations.  Taylor’s and the MB 25 auction tags accompany the lot. Estimate: $1,200 to $1,500