DALLAS, TX.- The world’s finest example of one of the most significant coins in the history of American numismatics will grab the spotlight when it crosses the auction block at Heritage’s Oct. 8–9 GACC U.S. Coins Signature Auction.
The 1792 H10C Half Disme, Judd-7, Pollock-7, R.4, MS68 PCGS, from the Ronald Firman Collection, is modest in physical size, but commands massive numismatic significance.
“This is a remarkable trophy for the most serious of collectors, the only example of this remarkable coin to earn the MS68 grade from PCGS,” says Todd Imhof, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions. “Its exceptional grade is only magnified by its numismatic significance, as the first federal U.S. coins struck for circulation under the authority of the Mint Act of April 2, 1792. This incredible coin richly deserves its spot as one of the most outstanding lots among the numerous fine selections in this GACC Signature auction.”
Another top attraction is an 1898 Liberty Double Eagle JD-1, R.5, PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS that represents an important opportunity for the advanced specialist. It is one of just 75 proof Liberty double eagles from that year; John Dannreuther estimates that there are between 35 and 50 remaining survivors, although there is some disparity between the two leading grading services, which list 82 certification events between them — seven more than the total number of coins struck. Of the surviving population, two are in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution, and a third is in the collection of the American Numismatic Society — out of the reach of the collecting community.
Also offered is an 1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar — Repaired — PCGS Genuine. VF Details. OC-1, JD-I, Low R.7, one of nine known examples held by collectors of a coin that never was reported in San Francisco Mint records. The coinage of 1870-S silver dollars was a result of the laying of the cornerstone for the new San Francisco Mint, which was supposed to include a time capsule that would contain a complete set of S-mint coins produced that year. The offered example first emerged at auction in 1926. This auction marks the first time Heritage, the world’s leading numismatic auctioneer, has offered the F.C.C. Boyd example of the rarest San Francisco silver dollar.
Another example of one of the trophies of American numismatics will be in play when a 1792 H10C Half Disme, Judd-7, Pollock-7, R.4, VG10 PCGS crosses the block. The 1792 half disme traditionally has been collected with the pattern series, but many are drawn to the issue because it is widely regarded as the first U.S. coin struck for circulation. The majority of the 1,500-2,000 pieces that were originally struck were worn over the years, making an impressive example like the one offered in this auction a must-have trophy for serious collectors.
The auction features an 1867-S Half Eagle MS63 PCGS that is newly discovered and the finest known example — the highest-graded by two full grade points — of this exceptional coin, of which there is just one other known example reported in Mint State. In all, fewer than 100 are believed to exist in all grades. This example was discovered during evaluation of an old estate in Buda, Texas, in a cigar box tucked in the back of a closet. According to the estate’s heirs, these coins came from family members in Columbus, Ohio, and are believed to have originated with their great-grandfather, who was a Union soldier during the Civil War.
An 1851 $50 RE Humbert Fifty Dollar, Reeded Edge, 887 Thous., No “50,” AU58 NGC. K-6, Low R.5 comes from The Christensen Family Collection, a 99-lot trove — 55 appear in the Premier Session — of early gold, Liberty Head gold, Territorial gold and early large cents. Only about 75 K-6 examples survive today, including about 10 in Mint State.
From the same collection comes an 1804 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle, MS63 PCGS CAC that represents the popular BD-7, with the first three digits in the date dramatically overpunched, and the upright of the “E” in “STATES” over a cloud space. The BD-7 variety is scarce but remains one of the more available issues of the date, with a surviving population that has been estimated between 100 and 150 in all grades.
A 1918/7-S Quarter, MS64 Full Head NGC is one of 55 lots in the auction from the West Texas Collection that features high-grade type coins, some in proof format, that include Indian Head cents, Buffalo nickels and Standing Liberty quarters. Incredibly rare in Full Head, the 1918/7-S Standing Liberty quarter represents one of the most sought-after of American minting varieties, and is an important key to the series. They are available in circulated grades through About Uncirculated, but Mint State examples are scarce in general, and those with Full Head detail are some of the rarest in the series. NGC and PCGS have certified only 54 Full Head coins in all grades today, including possible duplications.
Also in play is the second-finest known 1794 S-21 Head of 1794 Cent, MS64 Brown PCGS. The 1794 cent is perhaps the richest U.S. series, in terms of collecting history, and the example offered in this auction is an example of Die State IV of the S-21. Several hundred exist in all grades, and according to Del Bland’s Condition Census, the offered example is the second-finest and has been in just 10 collections over the last 150 years.
A 1797 1C Reverse of 1797, Stems, S-135, B-5, R.3, MS66 Brown PCGS is one of just six 1797 cents of any variety that PCGS has certified as MS66, and one of just two certified as MS66 Brown.
