1952 Proof Superbird
Feyms
Posts: 3
Hi:
This is my first post to the PCGS Forum, so please be gentle with me.
I worked with noted Washington Quarter specialist Jose Cortez several years ago when one of my client's Gene Witcowski who collected (hoarded) more than 50 1952 Superbirds over more than a decade passed. We identified eight different die states of the 1952 PF Superbird, the last of which had raised engraved lines in the Eagle's tail feathers and wings. We were also aware of the rare 1953 PF with engraved lines in the Eagle's tailfeathers as well.
I published the new information via Coin World and Numismatic News Press releases. Over the years I sold many of Gene's Superbirds, but managed to keep several with the engraved lines and two 1953 with engraved lines. I still have many of Gene's regular Superbirds as well. When Gene was alive, we developed a really attractive logo for the Superbird, Superman with an Eagle's head on his body, which I am happy share with anyone who emails me privately.
For whatever reason, NGC decided to stop grading the 1952 Superbird. All of Gene's coins were graded by NGC with the Superbird moniker on the label. I thought about getting these crossed to PCGS holders, but haven't yet done so.
There's been speculation that the "S" on the Eagle's chest is a result of a piece of lint on the die. The position of the "S" in nearly the center of the check as well as proof that the engraver touched up the die to strengthen the Eagle's tailfeathers after overpolishing lends support to a possible added "S". Perhaps it was the engraver's initial, or a cute bit of mischief as Superman was popular at the time. We may never know the real truth about Superbirds. What we do know is that it makes a rather comonplace proof quarter from 1952 really interesting and something neat to collect.
Obviously, the Superbird with engraved lines is many times rarer than a regular Superbird. I call it a "Super Superbird". A quick guess might be that it's 8 times rarer than a regular Superbird, but my experience is that it could be even rarer.
In any event, congratulations to those who have acquired a Superbird, and super congratulations to those who have acquired a Super Superbird! Names like the "Alligator Eye", Donkey Tail, and "Wild Eye Spikes" have done wonders for increasing the popularity of these Morgan dollar varieties. In my opinion, the Superbirds should be popular for many years to come.
This is my first post to the PCGS Forum, so please be gentle with me.
I worked with noted Washington Quarter specialist Jose Cortez several years ago when one of my client's Gene Witcowski who collected (hoarded) more than 50 1952 Superbirds over more than a decade passed. We identified eight different die states of the 1952 PF Superbird, the last of which had raised engraved lines in the Eagle's tail feathers and wings. We were also aware of the rare 1953 PF with engraved lines in the Eagle's tailfeathers as well.
I published the new information via Coin World and Numismatic News Press releases. Over the years I sold many of Gene's Superbirds, but managed to keep several with the engraved lines and two 1953 with engraved lines. I still have many of Gene's regular Superbirds as well. When Gene was alive, we developed a really attractive logo for the Superbird, Superman with an Eagle's head on his body, which I am happy share with anyone who emails me privately.
For whatever reason, NGC decided to stop grading the 1952 Superbird. All of Gene's coins were graded by NGC with the Superbird moniker on the label. I thought about getting these crossed to PCGS holders, but haven't yet done so.
There's been speculation that the "S" on the Eagle's chest is a result of a piece of lint on the die. The position of the "S" in nearly the center of the check as well as proof that the engraver touched up the die to strengthen the Eagle's tailfeathers after overpolishing lends support to a possible added "S". Perhaps it was the engraver's initial, or a cute bit of mischief as Superman was popular at the time. We may never know the real truth about Superbirds. What we do know is that it makes a rather comonplace proof quarter from 1952 really interesting and something neat to collect.
Obviously, the Superbird with engraved lines is many times rarer than a regular Superbird. I call it a "Super Superbird". A quick guess might be that it's 8 times rarer than a regular Superbird, but my experience is that it could be even rarer.
In any event, congratulations to those who have acquired a Superbird, and super congratulations to those who have acquired a Super Superbird! Names like the "Alligator Eye", Donkey Tail, and "Wild Eye Spikes" have done wonders for increasing the popularity of these Morgan dollar varieties. In my opinion, the Superbirds should be popular for many years to come.
Michael S. Fey
Rare Coin Investments (RCI)
Feyms@aol.com
973-252-4000
Rare Coin Investments (RCI)
Feyms@aol.com
973-252-4000
0
Comments
Went to the Long Beach show today and looked at 12-15 1952 proof sets. Found a superbird early on, but the quarter was a bit beat up and would have graded 63 max so I passed on the set. The last set I looked at had the FS-902 re-engraved tail feathers. Super superbird works, but I had already started calling it a super-duper-bird to myself
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
Rare Coin Investments (RCI)
Feyms@aol.com
973-252-4000
It's a bird, it's a plane.....
I had so many requests for this image Gene Witcowski and I put together for the 1952 Proof Superbird that I wanted to share it with everyone.
Rare Coin Investments (RCI)
Feyms@aol.com
973-252-4000