Question about the 1891 Triple Struck Half Eagle (being sold by Heritage)
Longacre
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I received this email from Heritage about the 1891 Half Eagle, Triple Struck (maybe they think I'm interested). I was wondering if anyone knew how there could be evidence of multiple strikes on the reverse, but none on the obverse? I assume that the coin must have rotated as it was being struck, but if that is the case, wouldn't both the obverse and the reverse show evidence? Here is the text of the announcement:
Heritage will offer an 1891 Half Eagle, Triple Struck, PR64 Ultra Cameo NGC in our upcoming Signature Auction, to be held February 23-26, in Long Beach, California.
This is an impressive piece. It was triple struck with rotation between strikes on the reverse. The obverse, however, does not show any evidence of the extra impressions from the die. The first and second impression of the design on the reverse are evident in a counterclockwise position relative to the third impression.
In addition to the importance of this example from the extra strikes, it is also a rarity, one of just 53 examples coined in Proof format. Further, the 1891 half eagle is also a lower mintage issue in business strike, meaning that the overall rarity is an important factor when considering the demand of this issue.
According to the census records of NGC and PCGS, only about 45 examples of this coin are known to exist. Indeed, Heritage has only offered two proof examples of this date in the last dozen years. We suspect that this particular example, with its extra design impressions, is most likely unique, and look forward to spirited bidding on this rare item.
Heritage will offer an 1891 Half Eagle, Triple Struck, PR64 Ultra Cameo NGC in our upcoming Signature Auction, to be held February 23-26, in Long Beach, California.
This is an impressive piece. It was triple struck with rotation between strikes on the reverse. The obverse, however, does not show any evidence of the extra impressions from the die. The first and second impression of the design on the reverse are evident in a counterclockwise position relative to the third impression.
In addition to the importance of this example from the extra strikes, it is also a rarity, one of just 53 examples coined in Proof format. Further, the 1891 half eagle is also a lower mintage issue in business strike, meaning that the overall rarity is an important factor when considering the demand of this issue.
According to the census records of NGC and PCGS, only about 45 examples of this coin are known to exist. Indeed, Heritage has only offered two proof examples of this date in the last dozen years. We suspect that this particular example, with its extra design impressions, is most likely unique, and look forward to spirited bidding on this rare item.
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
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<< <i>I was wondering if anyone knew how there could be evidence of multiple strikes on the reverse, but none on the obverse? I assume that the coin must have rotated as it was being struck, but if that is the case, wouldn't both the obverse and the reverse show evidence? >>
The coin is a proof and as such it was struck more than once, in this case three times. One of the dies, probably the reverse as the hammer die, was loose and rotated between each of the three strikes. The obverse die in the anvil position remained in position with the coin relief nested into it for all three strikes so no tripling is seen on that side.
(It would have to be the hammer die that was loose because if the anvil die tried to rotate between strike it would have to scrape over the surface of the struck coin and this scraping would be seen on the final coin. It would have to scrape because the coin would be held by the reeds in the collar and would not be able to rotate with the anvil die.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)