Ultra scarce coins that are only KNOWN in well-circulated condition?
Mission16
Posts: 1,413 ✭✭✭
I've just been re-reading about the 1793 "Strawberry Leaf" large cent. It is a coin that simply fascinates me in that none are known in anything close to mint state.
Are there any other notable coins that are like this?
I also find it interesting that many of the great philatelic rarities are known from a single used example.
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The 1793 Strawberry Leaf is a pretty cool old "Red Book" variety - I remember seeing it in the book as a kid.
Apparently the finest known is an NGC F-12 which sold for $862,500 in 2009.
pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/1353
Perhaps a similar coin is the 1795 Reeded Edge. The finest known is a VG-10 which sold for $1.265m.
pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/1383
There are a few bust dime and bust half die varieties which are only known in very low grades, but I don't think they have made it into the Red Book like the above 2 coins.
There are several US coins which are unknown in mint state, but that's not quite the same as the finest known a F-12 or VG-10.
For example, the finest known 1802 half dime is currently graded AU-55; in the past it had been graded EF.
I think the Gloucester Token fits the bill..
http://www.coinfacts.com/colonial_coins/gloucester_tokens/gloucester_tokens.htm
1853-0 no arrows half dollars. Finest known is a VF out of 3-4 circs. Hard to explain how they remained hidden for so long before being plucked out of circulation. Probably not until well after the Civil War did someone find them.
The 1870-s half dime was unique in circ back in 1980 when graded AU. Today it's MS64 so scratch that one.
Its not "well circulated" but not MS either. I have the only 1875 20c BF-3, it is in a ANACS AU58PL holder.
1854-S $2 1/2.
1794 1C Starred Reverse...there is one in AU50 Top Pop at PCGS out of 32 attributed.
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The Garrett specimen 53-O NA, finest known of the four, is in Stacks Rarities Night in Denver.
1792 Silver Disme - three known AU finest
1870-CC $20 AU58 (not really) finest and it was stolen
1822 $5
1798 Small Eagle $5, 1793 Liberty Cap both AU, may not qualify.
Loads of mint-marked Liberty gold and some P-mints too, but I'm lazy and anyone can read and type.
@MrEureka can probably do 20 off the top of his head.
When Proskey catalogued it in 1877, where had the finest known specimen come from?
I always thought the strawberry looked a lot more like a raspberry which has always put doubt in my mind as to what this variety should be called.
The 1817/4 half dollars
This is why I'd love to find an uncirculated one.
Most R-6 to R-8 rarity die varieties are only found well circulated. Even some R-5's, such as 1805 T-6 half dollar max out at XF45. Redbook half dollar varieties only in circulated include 1806 Knob 6 No Stem - 7 known EF40 highest grade, 1806 E/A EF40 highest.
For years, not as many, 1822 $5, 1802 half dime mentioned above.
That's the first one I thought of. Couldn't believe it when I saw your post
The finest known 1802 Half cent graded
XF 45