Al Overton assigned an R.8 rarity rating (1 to 3 known) to this die pair when he issued his 2nd edition in 1970. I recall the thrill of cherry-picking a low grade example at a small show in San Rafael, CA sometime in 1984. While upwards of 40 pieces are known today the appearance of a high grade specimen remains a cause for celebration. This one has a majestic provenance. It was first recorded in the BHNC Census during the 1970s. Its only auction appearance over the past 50 years came in 2004, lot 11 in my sale of Selected Rarities from the Collection of John and Sophia Tidwell where it brought $8,311. Tom Bay, Sr. uncovered the coin years before. It passed to Henry Hilgard when Tom sold his collection to me in 1985. The Tidwells picked it up in June 1997. It is rivaled only by the “borderline uncirculated” Carl McClerg/Charlton Meyer specimen (Getty Sale, B&R May 1977, lot 841) and the choice AU Dosier/Prouty coin that now resides in a PCGS MS 62 holder. Tim Osborne owned the Dosier/Prouty piece when Dr. Link proposed a trade, this coin for Tim’s. In Tim’s words, “Not a problem for me – WOW, this coin has amazing eye appeal. I can’t imagine a nicer AU.” The lightly toned coin features blazing luster, immaculate surfaces and a strike that is unrivaled for this die pair. If you crave the absolute best in R.5s, this one fills the bill.Estimate: $7,000 to $10,000
Auction Ended
High Bid
Maximum Bid
Total Price
$8,000
Reserve met
$13,703
$8,800
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Sheridan Downey, Numismatist 4400 Keller Ave.,
Suite 140, PMB 398 Oakland, California 94605 sdowney3@aol.com (510) 479-1585