1864 G50C BG-1016 MS(PCGS#10845)

1864 G50C BG-1016 MS (PCGS#10845)

The June 2011 Baltimore Auction

Lot Description: 1864 Round 50 Cents. BG-1016A. Rarity-8. AU-58 (PCGS). OGH--Second Generation. 1840-O Seated Liberty Quarter. Drapery. Briggs 2-C. MS-61 (NGC). A significant die variety that is seldom offered where the left stem end is much longer than the right on the reverse. Prooflike fields surround the devices, and a coin which probably did not circulate, but was graded partially on the diagnostic bluntness of the strike. The present coin was certified prior to the rediscovery of this variety in 2001, although mentioned by the Doering's in 1980. PCGS has graded one example as MS-61 and another as AU-58, but no others are reported in their Census aside from the silver die trial piece that also uses this die combination. We sold the MS-61 example of this variety in our offering of the Jay Roe Collection in September 2003 for $2,185. A formidable rarity that should not be overlooked by specialists.