By James McCartney, Numismatist & Cataloger – Stack’s Bowers ……
Showcased in lot 10031 of Stack’s Bowers 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.
