A nice 2 point upgrade on this half dime - but it took 4 years

roadrunner

1859-0 half dime NGC MS66

This half dime is in the current ANR sale. I originally purchased it out of Goldberg's 2002 June Long Beach sale (lot , then graded as PCGS MS64 (ogh). The coin was a no brainer solid 65 with a shot to 66 imo. It was one of the prettiest "O" mint half dimes I had run across. It went 65 at NGC in 2002 when I resubmitted it. Happy with the 65 results, I sold it to a board member. Now that the coin is graded MS66 it closes the books on this one and provides a touch of confirmation of my original assessment. Curiously there was another 59-0 half dime in the Goldberg sale just before this lot that was graded NGC MS66. I liked the PCGS "MS64" better and ignored the problematic 66. Now that this 59-0 is in a 66 holder, it will bring far more than $1750 I originally thought it was worth. The reverse toning on the coin is quite stunning. The obverse is nice enough.

I look back upon that 2002 Goldberg sale with fond memories as every coin I purchased in that sale was old holdered and PQ. There was a bunch of nice seated coins in this sale that came from a few specialized collections. Trime was at that sale as well. It was the only LB show I've made since 1989. A few of my pieces from that sale have been sold since as I lost interest in them but a few still remain.

roadrunner

originalisbest

Nice coin, RR - thanks for sharing your recollections! Much as I'd like to, I don't really have any such coins in my collection that are so noticeable or unique, that they could be "followed along" like that. Well, that is, I might recognize them, but I doubt someone else would.

roadrunner

Since I tend to collect toned better dates or types, it is not that unusual to recognize the coin again when it shows up in a catalog.
The reverse toning on this half dime was unique enough that I instantly recognized it while thumbing through the ANR/Stacks cat.
But I did a double take on the grade.

roadrunner

roadrunner

The 59-0 half dime sold for $2760. A decent gain for someone since I sold it.

Ironically I bought another 1859-0 just last week at the Auburn MA. show. NGC MS 65 and just as clean and original as this one, but without the striking color.

roadrunner

coinlieutenant

I bet the coin looks much better than the ANR pic.

roadrunner

Yes, the coin was very striking in hand, and apparently only nice looking in the ANR photos. The ANR obv photo gives the appearance of missing luster in the fields and possibly an old cleaning. After the Man O'Coin scare, I'd have to do a double take on the reverse colors because they did not match the obverse. The neon circular rings are not what you see everyday. The strike is actually strong as many of these have flatness on the leg and on the central reverse lettering.

roadrunner