PCGS - I know I say this often, but it's really difficult to choose just three items to highlight in this column because there are so many great coins and banknotes crossing the block. Some particularly notable pieces have gone under the hammer in recent months that deserve to be mentioned here - so many, in fact, that I'm sneaking in a fourth highlight this time and breaking the mold of the usual three pieces that I profile in this segment!
1821 Proof Capped Bust Half Eagle, PCGS PR65CAMThe first coin I would like to highlight is a completely amazing rarity - it's none other than an 1821 Capped Bust Proof Half Eagle. First of all, there are only two examples known. One of them is in the Smithsonian Institution and the second is seen here and graded PCGS PR65CAM. This example can be pedigreed back to 1885, when the coin resided in the John Colvin Randall Collection.That's a pedigree dating back to nearly 140 years. This incredible and historically important coin was sold by Heritage Auctions on September 29, 2022, for a staggering price of $4,620,000.
1825/4/1 Capped Bust Proof Half Eagle, PCGS PR67CAMThe next coin is also a Capped Bust Proof Half Eagle, but is from 1825. It prominently exhibits a strong 1825/4/1 overdate and is a rare numismatic treasure with only three examples known. This particular specimen is the finest of those and has been graded PCGS PR67CAM. According to the cataloger at Stack's Bowers Galleries, which sold the coin, this piece was hiding for about 50 years and just recently made its reemergence. When a coin of this caliber comes up at auction, it always brings intense bidding. That was certainly the case for this example, hammering for a record $4,080,000 on August 25, 2022.
1886 $20 Silver Certificate Fr. 314, PCGS Choice Unc. 64This 1886 $20 Silver Certificate is a very significant and scarce note in any condition, but it's especially rare in uncirculated grades. It is estimated that fewer than 100 banknotes of this issue exist, so finding an example in uncirculated grades is very difficult - not to mention in CU64 condition. In April 2022, Stack's Bowers Galleries offered an example graded PCGS Choice Unc. 64, which realized an impressive $96,000.
1839 Gobrecht dollar Proof Restrike, PCGS PR64+ Gobrecht dollars represent one of the most interesting series to collect, as there are many different variations among these coins - more broadly classified within the overarching Liberty
Seated dollar canon. The design is also considered to be one of the most attractive designs in American coinage, enticing a large collector audience. These coins also attract serious collectors who do some serious bidding for the nicest examples. Such was the case for an 1839 issue graded PCGS PR64+ that was sold by GreatCollections for $67,500 on October 23, 2022.
Posted 02/14/2023 2:57 pm
