1805 50C MS(PCGS#6069)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3051

Grade

MS62

Price

40,800

Lot Description

Tompkins Die Stage 1/1. Pinkish and golden iridescence dusts the surfaces of this spectacular piece, accented by splashes of twilight blue on the obverse. The strike is exceptional, exhibiting strong delineation to all shield lines and eagle's feathers. Clash marks are readily apparent in Liberty's hair, at Liberty's bust, and around the date, allowing convenient attribution of this obverse die. The reverse die had been previously employed in 1803, and now shows a thin crack that passes through both the first and final letters in STATES. Rich, frosty luster contributes to the overall captivating eye appeal, remaining strongest across the reverse. An impressive and significant treat for both type collectors and specialists.<p>This piece has long been recognized as a superior specimen from the 1805 O-112 dies. It was previously in the cabinet of famed collector T. James Clarke, who called it "Unc-Gem / Finest Known," and whose signature brown coin box with notations was still paired with the coin as of our March 2018 offering (but is not included in this current lot). Upon his death, the Clarke estate was consigned by Clarke's widow to New Netherlands Coin Company's 47th Sale of April 1956, where this coin was cataloged more conservatively as "Just about Unc." It was later acquired by the Sutton Court collector privately from Stack's in November of 1984, and it had remained a treasured jewel of that cabinet for nearly 35 years.<p>Certified for the first time ahead of our Sutton Court offering in March 2018, this PCGS MS-62 is the finest known example from the Overton 112 dies, and just the Newman O-108 ranks finer at PCGS among all normal date die marriages of the 1805 issue. The 1805 normal date example in the legendary D. Brent Pogue Collection was certified MS-61 by PCGS. The closest O-112 rival to the present piece is the NGC MS-61 R.L. Miles specimen, which had also been tucked away as part of the Sutton Court Collection before its offering in our March 2018 sale.