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My new 1886 Half from Gardner -- How a coin goes from uncirculated to proof to business strike

breakdownbreakdown Posts: 2,188 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was happy to win two halves in the Gardner sale in May (though my purchasing budget is shot for the year). The 1850-O I posted about earlier but the 1886 I purchased has an interesting provenance record. William Dickinson sale (as "uncirculated") Chapman Brothers March 6-7, 1894. J.M. Clapp. John Clapp. Clapp estate 1942 to Eliasberg. Lot 2057 in Eliasberg sale (Bowers & Merena 1997) (as Proof). Malibu Bowers & Merena November 2010 PCGS MS67 CAC. Gardner May 2015.

Most interesting is that the Eliasberg sale listed the coin as a proof. The coin has prooflike qualities so I suppose the Eliasberg listing is excusable even though it was incorrect.

It is nice to think that Mr. Dickinson acquired the coin directly from the mint since it was first sold only eight years later. Here is the TrueView although I look forward to having Todd take a shot at it.

image

"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

Comments

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    One of the most beautiful U.S. coins I have ever seen. Congratulations on a fantastic addition to your
    collection. Provenance most interesting. Thanks for sharing.
    Jim

    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Major congrats! LOVE

    mark
    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • This content has been removed.
  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,812 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very nice. That's how they're supposed to look.
  • bidaskbidask Posts: 14,017 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Beautiful coin !
    I manage money. I earn money. I save money .
    I give away money. I collect money.
    I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.




  • lasvegasteddylasvegasteddy Posts: 10,408 ✭✭✭
    very stunning example

    lol...on how it changed on mint process type through the years...not the people who were assessing it's type of manufacture
    everything in life is but merely on loan to us by our appreciation....lose your appreciation and see


  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,519 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Interesting background info, congrats!
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners. :smile:
  • dibdib Posts: 311
    Gorgeous coin. Funny that in the 1894 sale it was probably regarded as "modern crap" image
  • MeltdownMeltdown Posts: 8,855 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow, that blows my 1994 lincoln I was going to show off out of the water! image



    Seriously cool coin though. I think it's great you have it's history on record.
  • BoosibriBoosibri Posts: 12,207 ✭✭✭✭✭
    wonderful coin!
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,548 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've seen a number of gem and super grade business strike late dated Seated Halves (1879-91) with prooflike surfaces. I used to own one myself (an 1885).
    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • breakdownbreakdown Posts: 2,188 ✭✭✭✭✭
    RealOne is right that I can only guess that Mr. Dickinson acquired it from the mint. It could have changed hands before he purchased it. So many of these low montage halves from the 1880s were saved by collectors, dealers and speculators that they would make a challenging set to collect in circulated grades. For example, there are 150 PCGS grading events for the 1886 and 101 of them are MS.
    In any event, thanks for the comments.

    "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

  • goldengolden Posts: 9,769 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Superb!
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,303 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A wonderful coin. The obverse and reverse figures don't look all that sharply impressed so I too am puzzled why it was cataloged as a proof at Eliasberg. Not that it matters really as the buyers almost always figure it out.

    My Eliasberg catalog post-it notes show this being graded PCGS MS67 after the Eliasberg sale and offered by Tangible Investments (Syl) for $18K. I would assume they were the auction buyers at $11K.
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • CoinJunkieCoinJunkie Posts: 8,772 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Beautiful half! Thanks for posting it.

    image
  • TahoeDaleTahoeDale Posts: 1,785 ✭✭✭
    What a great buy! And from another superb collection-Malibou.

    And a most reasonable price!!!!!
    TahoeDale
  • Wabbit2313Wabbit2313 Posts: 7,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That coin is sweet! I sure wish I had relative collecting coins in the 1800's! What a great point about the original owner. Also, the last 2 owners had that baby for about 50 years each. Cool!
  • NicNic Posts: 3,386 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sweet coin! The provenance only adds to the value. RARE.

  • StuartStuart Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Congrats on acquiring a beautiful and most historic Seated Liberty Half Dollar with a great numismatic provenance.

    Thanks for sharing both the coin and the interesting story about how this coin was listed in subsequent sales from uncirculated, to proof, to business strike.

    Stuart

    Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal

    "Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
  • cecropiamothcecropiamoth Posts: 969 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What a killer, outstanding coin!! Love the ownership history going right straight back to the beginning.

    Jeff
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Judging from the price realized in the Eliasberg sale, no one bidding thought is was a proof. $11,000 when the 1885 Proof before it went for $2,750.
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • I checked in my library and happened to have a priced copy of the Chapman bothers Dickinson sale and this lot realized --- $1!

  • breakdownbreakdown Posts: 2,188 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I checked in my library and happened to have a priced copy of the Chapman bothers Dickinson sale and this lot realized --- $1! >>



    Great stuff. Thanks for the information!

    "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,435 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What a stunner! You truly have some of the nicest toned originals.

    I think it's interesting how you tracked the history, as well.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

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