Showcased
in lot 10031 of our November 2017 Baltimore Auction is a spectacular Gem
Proof 1840 No Drapery Liberty Seated half dime.
Toned in rich shades of violet and sapphire, this coin is handsomely
preserved, considerably reflective, and offers exceptional eye appeal.
The Proof
1840 No Drapery Liberty Seated half dime was struck at the U.S. Mint during an
era of Proof production that delivered such issues as the 1838-O half dollar
and the Class I 1804 dollar. In cataloging the John Jay Pittman Collection,
Part I, David Akers suggests a maximum mintage of 10 Proof 1840 No Drapery half
dimes, with a survival estimate of five to six examples. This assessment has
proven to be remarkably accurate as just five distinct specimen can be
accounted for today. The present lovely
example is tied for finest, matched by only the Kaufman-Greensboro specimen that
is also in a Proof-66 (NGC) holder.
Additionally,
this example has an illustrious provenance that stretches back over 70 years. First
purchased by John Jay Pittman for $20 in August 1947 from “Mr. O.K. Rumbel” who
was evidently a “noted collector of early dollars and Lesher dollars,” it
remained in the Pittman cabinet until the aforementioned Akers sale in October
1997. It was then offered in Superior’s sale of May 2003 before appearing in
the sale of the legendary Eugene H. Gardner Collection in June 2014.
It
is our pleasure to offer this wonderful jewel in
Rarities Night of our November 2017 Baltimore
Auction
alongside such treasures as a Mint State 1792 Silver
Center cent from
the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation and a Choice Mint State 1796
Stars quarter eagle from the Murray Hill Collection. Call us today at 1-800-458-4646 to
secure your copy of this exciting catalog. Also, download our mobile app to
participate via your Android or Apple device. Email [email protected] for more information.
