1817/4 50C Overton 102 MS(PCGS#39513)

The Regency Auction 47

Auctioneer

Legend Rare Coin Auctions

Lot Number

55

Grade

F15

Price

211,500

Lot Description

Ex Link Collection as noted in the holder. Without question, this is among the RAREST of the 453 die varieties enumerated and described by Al Overton and his son-in-law, Donald Parsely, and the RAREST by far of those specifically listed in the Red Book. A solid Rarity-7, there are 11 known examples, each of which commands serious attention from specialist collectors when they make their infrequent appearances at public auction. The 1817/4 overdate is extremely bold, totally visible, even to the naked eye. Among all 453 die varieties of Capped Bust half dollars, there are only three that are rarer than 1817/4 Overton-102: 1825 Overton-118, 1827 Overton-149, and 1829 Overton-120. However, since none of these are separate Red Book varieties, none have the aura and romance that the 1817/4 possesses. Just 11 specimens have been identified since the first was discovered in 1930 by the Los Angeles coin dealer Edward T. Wallis. The discovery coin (which is now the finest known and is the Eliasberg-Soros-Byers-Link coin) had a massive bisecting die crack, which helps explain the rarity. Of the known examples, the vast majority are of the later O-102A model, indicating that when the date was repunched, the die steel did not properly anneal, and the dies broke very early in its use, and probably did not last long after it cracked and was taken out of service. Among the examples "straight graded" by PCGS, the present coin is among the most original. Deeply toned in the fields, in a dark gray overtone with slate and blue. Just old fashioned honest wear is seen on both sides, evenly worn with no problems to be found anywhere, even with the aid of a strong glass. Until 2006, only seven examples of the 1817/4 were known; four examples have recently been discovered, all are lower grade or have condition problems. The roster of known examples is as follows: O-102: 1. The Overton-Meyer-Pogue coin. PCGS VF35. Purchased by Al Overton in 1962 and sold to the Empire Coin Co. (Q. David Bowers and James Ruddy) in 1962. Sold to Hazen Hinman and consigned by Buol Hinman to Paramount's May 1965 "Century Sale", lot 1112. Intermediaries to Bowers and Ruddy Galleries where it was offered in their RARE COIN REVIEW issues 18-22. Sold to Gloria Meyer who purchased it as a gift for her husband, famed specialist Capped Bust collector Charlton "Swampy" Meyer in 1975. Upon Charlton Meyer's passing, the coin was sold to Sheridan Downey in March 2008 and sold to D. Brent Pogue in April 2008. Brent Pogue Collection, Part II. Stack's Bowers/ Sotheby's September 2015, lot 2021, where it realized $282,000; Konstantine Collection, Legend Rare Coin Auctions' Regency Auction 28, September 2018, lot 24. 2. The Elton Dosier example. PCGS F15. Discovered in 1976 by Milton Silverman. Sold to Leonard Elton Dosier privately after 1985; Dosier private sale to Sheridan Downey in 1988; Sheridan Downey's Mail Bid #22, October 1988 lot 268; John Crowley Collection; "Select Rarities from the Crowley Collection", Sheridan Downey Mail Bid Sale, August 2001; lot 4; Jonathan Tidwell Collection; Sheridan Downey, to Anthony Terranova via private sale in August 2004; Anthony Terranova to Dr. Charles Link via private treaty, December 2004; Dr. Charles Link Collection; private sale to our consignor October 2015. THE PRESENT COIN. 3. The most recently discovered example. PCGS VF Details, Tooled. Purchased at a small coin show as a 181.7, upon closer examination was determined to be the 17/4 rarity. Offered in the 2014 ANA auction. 4. The "Colorado" coin, discovered in 2007. PCGS G06. Sold in the 2008 ANA auction. A long scratch on the obverse is the identifying mark. 5. The Overton-Parsley coin. Discovered around 1963 and sold in the Overton Collection in 1993. Good details, repaired. O-102A. 1. The Eliasberg Coin. PCGS AU53. The discovery coin which boasts a very extensive provenance dating to 1930. 2. The George Williams Coin. NGC XF Details, Environmental Damage. Discovered about a decade or so ago in a pile of fill dirt in upstate New York. 3. The Floyd Farley Coin. NGC VF25. Sold by Sheridan Downey in 2002. 4. The Al Burke Coin. PCGS VF20. 5. The Stewart Witham coin. PCGS VF20. Sold in August 2010. 6. The "Louisiana" coin. PCGS VG8. Discovered in July 2012. The cataloger of this collection has a distinct connection to the currently offered coin. In 2004, the ANA World's Fair of Money was being held in Pittsburgh. Being a "local" venue, I attended the convention. As a budding collector, and especially interested in early half dollars; viewing this coin at Sheridan Downey's table was a must do for me while there. On my first day at the show, it had already sold, but he was kind enough to tell me who bought it. I went to Anthony Terranova's table, and he graciously showed me the ultra rare 17/4 I had come to Pittsburgh to see. It was also at that show where I began my journey to becoming a Professional Numismatist. PCGS 1, NGC 0. The current PCGS Price Guide value is listed at $185,000. This coin was sold privately to our consignor by Dr. Link for $225,000, and has not sold in auction since the August 2001 Sheridan Downey Mail Bid auction. A PCGS VF20, the Witham coin noted above, sold in August 2019 for $186,000. This is the HOLY GRAIL of Capped Bust half dollars, one of the greatest rarities of all numismatics, listed as #47 of the TOP 100 Greatest U.S. Coins! We expect very strong bidding for this very special Capped Bust half dollar; ownership of an 1817/4 automatically propels you to the highest echelons of the Bust Half Nut community! Good luck! Cert. Number 25359635 PCGS # 6112.00