By CoinWeek Staff Reports …..
A rare 1895 Morgan dollar graded PR64 by PCGS is one of the highlights this week at GreatCollections Certifed Coin Auctions. With less than four days to go, the lot has received 20 bids and reached a price of $38,777.77 ($43,624.99 with Buyer’s Premium). This coin is almost certain to garner additional bids in the days to come.
The 1895 Morgan dollar is a legendary issue. Known only as a Proof strike, the issue has a mintage of just 880 pieces. From a Proof standpoint, 880 is not the rarest of the Morgan dollar Proofs, but because collectors consider owning one essential in the construction of a complete set of dollars, demand for the issue has always far exceeded availability. It likely that fewer than half of the 880 struck survive and many of those that do have been mistreated or circulated alongside business strike issues.
1895 Morgan dollar Proofs can be found with varying degrees of Cameo frost. The present example exhibits light frosting, which is subdued underneath a layer of latte-colored toning.
PCGS reports 56 grading events in the grade of 64 with 42 higher in the Proof (non-Cameo) Designation.
Other Highlights Ending This Week
Collectors have the chance to add significantly to their collections by picking up any one of the following three condition rarities:
1921-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar in PCGS MS64
The 1921-S Walking Liberty half dollar is the key to the series, but only one of several extremely difficult coins to acquire in grades above Mint State 63. 548,000 examples were struck but very few were saved in uncirculated condition.
PCGS reports 47 grading events of the 1921-S in MS64, with 22 finer (top pop is a single MS66). MS64 examples of this issue imaged by PCGS are typically lightly toned, this piece is no exception. This example exhibits a smattering of light gold-colored toning around the periphery on the obverse and reverse, with deeper toning in the creases. It also exhibits a curvilinear die crack on the reverse on the ground below the eagle. CoinWeek Price Guide Value: $42,500.
Current Bid: $15,500 ($17,437.50 with BP)
1953 Franklin Half Dollar in PCGS PR67DCAM
Proof Franklin half dollars with Deep Cameo have always excited collectors and the issues struck between 1950 and 1953 represent the most difficult to obtain Deep Cameos in the 14-year series.
PCGS has reported 15 grading events of the 1953 Franklin half dollar in PR67DCAM, with only one finer (top pop is a single PR68DCAM). MS64 examples imaged by PCGS are typically lightly toned. This example features black on white contrast and average quality frost for the Deep Cameo designation. CoinWeek Price Guide Value: $7,500.
Current Bid: $6,500.01 ($7,312.51 with BP)
1962-D Jefferson Nickel in PCGS MS65FS
$10,000 or more seems like quite a sum for a Jefferson nickel. At play in this listing is the extreme rarity of the Full Steps designation. Specialist collectors of the Jefferson nickel series have recognized over the years that only a small percentage of coins are struck up fully, with the step detail at the base of Monticello exhibiting some of the design’s finest detail.
The following graphic provides an easy to understand visual reference on the Full Steps designation.
In this graphic, you see that the steps, located on the design between the stylobate, a flat pavement section on which rest the four front columns of the design, and the foundation block at the base of the steps. Factors such as die condition, striking pressure, and incidental contact with other coins, play a significant factor in whether a Jefferson nickel will earn the Full Steps designation.
PCGS reports just 4 grading events of the 1962-D nickel in MS65 with Full Steps. This is the top population grade for this attribution. PCGS does report eleven grading instances of the 1962-D nickel in MS66, however, these examples do not qualify for the Full Steps attribution and are worth significantly less money in the marketplace (approximately $250).
MS64 examples imaged by PCGS are typically lightly toned. This example exhibits a smattering of light gold-colored toning around the periphery of the obverse, with deeper toning in the creases. It also exhibits a curvilinear die crack on the reverse on the ground below the eagle.
Current Bid: $10,000 ($11,250 with BP)
