PCGS certifies unique, verrrry cool pattern coin

Halfsense · November 5, 2012 4:43AM

A verrrrry cool early American pattern coin owned by a happy Midwestern collector is now in its new "home" (a PCGS Secure Plus holder) and with a new reference number to underscore its uniqueness. Here's the info and photos:

PCGS Certifies Unique Pattern 1814 Platinum Half Dollar, Gives New ID Number

-donn-

commoncents05 · November 5, 2012 4:48AM

Here is a link to the coin in an NGC holder when it sold at Heritage last year. Interesting that NGC did not assign a grade, but PCGS did.

-Paul

Zoins · November 5, 2012 5:00AM

Perhaps PCGS assigned a grade because they also assign grades to chopmarked trade dollars?

Also, I just noted that HA now asks me to login before viewing full size images which it didn't do before. Perhaps they are starting to place more importance on their historical archive.

cmerlo1 · November 5, 2012 5:23AM

Genuine- counterstamped, graffiti.

Edited to add:

Still a VERY cool coin.

CaptHenway · November 5, 2012 5:28AM

I remember when I was writing about this coin back when I was at Coin World that I tried to say that somebody had "P'd" all over it, but the News Editor took it out........

DeliaBug · November 5, 2012 5:32AM

We can get 'Judd Plate Coin' designations on holders? How does someone request that?

FredWeinberg · November 5, 2012 5:33AM

I actually counted the "P"s punched into the coin,
when it was raw, back in 1974.

I was working for Numismatics, Ltd. in Beverly Hills, Calif.

We bought what was called the Judd Pattern Collection
from Abe Kosoff - although I believe some of the Judd
coins had been previously sold to Dave Bowers.

There were about 800 coins, as I recall - and this
piece, as well as some incredible others, were in the
deal. I got to weigh them, examine them with a glass
(found a few nice double struck's in the collar), and
when I got to the 1814 Platinum Half, I decided to count
the P's on the obverse - the count and what had been
reported were both the same...........

Justlooking · November 5, 2012 5:37AM

Platinum? Holy cow.

This is one case where graffiti doesn't bother me one bit.

RB1026 · November 5, 2012 5:40AM

Very cool. Extraordinary coin and terrific first hand knowledge posted here. Thanks to all for sharing!

Barndog · November 5, 2012 5:42AM

back in 2002 there was a good write up when it sold for a lot less money ($44,000) HERE

edit to add: the price was before the juice was applied.

CoinRaritiesOnline · November 5, 2012 6:02AM

<< We can get 'Judd Plate Coin' designations on holders? How does someone request that? >>

In my experience, getting a plate coin provenance on any PCGS coin is easy as long as it is a very well known reference, and the photograph match is certain. Like this:

You just need to request it on the submission form, and provide photographic proof.

DeliaBug · November 5, 2012 6:25AM

<< 

<< We can get 'Judd Plate Coin' designations on holders? How does someone request that? >>

In my experience, getting a plate coin provenance on any PCGS coin is easy as long as it is a very well known reference, and the photograph match is certain. Like this:

You just need to request it on the submission form, and provide photographic proof. >>

Nice. Thanks John.

DeliaBug · November 5, 2012 6:25AM

<< back in 2002 there was a good write up when it sold for a lot less money ($44,000) HERE

edit to add: the price was before the juice was applied. >>

That links states the following for provenance: Purchased May 15, 1994 from Gerald Schertz. Earlier from our 1991 ANA Auction, August 1991, Lot 2619. Ex Rarcoa, Auction '88, Lot 1845; Pine Tree, September 1974, Lot 1419; A. Kosoff, 1962 Illustrated History, Lot 73; Dr. J. Hewitt Judd; Virgil M. Brand; George Woodside; R. Coulton Davis.

Here is some additional information that may not be known, from one of Michael Hodder's notebooks that I have.

CoinRaritiesOnline · November 5, 2012 6:25AM

Re the coin noted by the OP, it could not have gone to a nicer and more appreciative owner.

Greeniejr · November 5, 2012 6:56AM

I thought I saw that coin a few months back in HLRC's case in an NGC holder. Correct me if I am wrong.

CoinRaritiesOnline · November 5, 2012 7:20AM

<< I thought I saw that coin a few months back in HLRC's case in an NGC holder. Correct me if I am wrong. >>

I think, but could be wrong, that the owner put it there for safekeeping after he bought it.

blu62vette · November 5, 2012 7:25AM

Amazingly cool coin.

mkman123 · November 5, 2012 7:32AM

How can you give that a grade????

CoinRaritiesOnline · November 5, 2012 7:34AM

<< How can you give that a grade???? >>

Perhaps it left the mint that way.

lkeigwin · November 5, 2012 8:33AM

That's pretty damned spectacular. I would love to see it in person.

The same dies were used for this one of mine. Alas, it's only silver.
Lance.

messydesk · November 5, 2012 9:24AM

<< How can you give that a grade???? >>

The number of counterstamps and engravings permitted to still be market acceptable is much higher on bust halves struck in platinum than on those struck in silver.

Barndog · November 5, 2012 9:26AM

<< 

<< How can you give that a grade???? >>

The number of counterstamps and engravings permitted to still be market acceptable is much higher on bust halves struck in platinum than on those struck in silver. >>

JRocco · November 5, 2012 9:50AM

<< 

<< How can you give that a grade???? >>

Perhaps it left the mint that way. >>

But it sure didn't leave the die striking that way. Isn't that what should be considered?
Anything can happen to a coin by a mint employee post strike.

Now this coin being such a well researched and historic piece can be called an exception, but it is an exception to the rules. Alterations post strike are alterations.

Zoins · November 5, 2012 9:57AM

<< 

<< 

<< How can you give that a grade???? >>

Perhaps it left the mint that way. >>

But it sure didn't leave the die striking that way. Isn't that what should be considered?
Anything can happen to a coin by a mint employee post strike.

Now this coin being such a well researched and historic piece can be called an exception, but it is an exception to the rules. Alterations post strike are alterations. >>

This is an interesting issue. Here are two somewhat similar scenarios I've found:

- PCGS gives MS grades to chop marked trade dollars
- PCGS no-grades (GN-80) the engraved 1921-D "First Strike" Morgan Dollars

epcjimi1 · November 5, 2012 10:12AM

Looks deformed / defaced to me. Very cool, though.

keyman64 · November 5, 2012 11:00AM

<< I remember when I was writing about this coin back when I was at Coin World that I tried to say that somebody had "P'd" all over it, but the News Editor took it out........

>>

That's awesome you tried!

Darn cool piece of history!

7Jaguars · November 5, 2012 9:44PM

Not "hating" but the coin really does not do anything for me, seems more a novelty than anything. I really wonder if this was struck in 1814 and not considerably later as the reprinted article suggested possible.

As for the grade, I do not understand. I can think of other examples of coins that left the mint (but NOT the die) in an altered state just not as severe, especially the British series that I collect.

DorkGirl · November 5, 2012 10:58PM

<< 

<< I remember when I was writing about this coin back when I was at Coin World that I tried to say that somebody had "P'd" all over it, but the News Editor took it out........ >>

CaptHenway · November 6, 2012 1:14AM

One of the great unsolved mysteries surrounding this coin is, why does that "P" punch have no serifs on the stem end? Did somebody cut down a "B" or an "R" punch and get carried away?

PCGS certifies unique, verrrry cool pattern coin

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