Lot Number 39
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1822 - O.108a R.3 PCGS AU 58
An enthralling 1822! Semi-prooflike, especially on the reverse, and fully struck. A few streaks on the reverse are drift marks, common to the era, the result of imperfect refining techniques. It is a challenge to find even a hint of rub on this remarkable coin. I purchased the piece as agent for John Crowley at Superior’s sale of the Richard Pugh collection, June 1992 (lot 1153). Keith Davignon acquired it from the Crowley collection at the Aug. 2001 ANA Convention. Superior’s 1992 auction tag survives and accompanies the lot. Richard Pugh found this coin on the bourse floor of a 1987 Long Beach Show. Richard was a knowledgeable, enthusiastic student of bust half-dollars. His cherry-picks were legendary and included 3(!) 1827 O.137’s along with one of 2 known 1805 O.114’s. He was the primary consultant to Don Parsley in the preparation of the long awaited 1990 revision [3rd ed.] of Overton’s standard reference. He succumbed to brain cancer in early 1992. He was only 45. Est. $1,800 to $2,500.
