Posted 10/11/2020 8:01 pm
Interesting coin. Doesn't look like I'll ever own one... Here's some info from Heritage on a similar coin that sold several years ago:
The New Orleans Mint operated from 1838 until 1861, when it was closed at the beginning of the Civil War. During that period, numerous proofs were coined, beginning with the famous 1838-O half dollar. After the Mint reopened in 1879, a smaller number of branch mint proofs were produced, mostly Morgan dollars.
Among Barber half dollars, a few amazing prooflike examples appeared in the Eliasberg Collection, including an 1892-O of nearly equal quality to the present piece and an 1897-O of undeniable beauty. The existence of two similar quality 1892-O half dollars actually seems to lend credence to the possibility of these pieces being intentional branch mint proofs. They were also the first Barber half dollars and the first half dollars struck in New Orleans since 1861. Discussing the Eliasberg coin, Dave Bowers wrote: "It is not difficult to envision a scenario in which on the first day of striking this new design at the New Orleans Mint some special pieces were made for presentation."
The New Orleans Mint operated from 1838 until 1861, when it was closed at the beginning of the Civil War. During that period, numerous proofs were coined, beginning with the famous 1838-O half dollar. After the Mint reopened in 1879, a smaller number of branch mint proofs were produced, mostly Morgan dollars.
Among Barber half dollars, a few amazing prooflike examples appeared in the Eliasberg Collection, including an 1892-O of nearly equal quality to the present piece and an 1897-O of undeniable beauty. The existence of two similar quality 1892-O half dollars actually seems to lend credence to the possibility of these pieces being intentional branch mint proofs. They were also the first Barber half dollars and the first half dollars struck in New Orleans since 1861. Discussing the Eliasberg coin, Dave Bowers wrote: "It is not difficult to envision a scenario in which on the first day of striking this new design at the New Orleans Mint some special pieces were made for presentation."
