Lot Number 95
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1829 - O.118 R.4+ PCGS XF 45 CAC
Ex John Tidwell, Dr. Glenn Peterson and Dr. Tom Sears. A lustrous glow of Territorial Gold encases this pretty coin. Though softly struck, the originality and eye appeal are top drawer. The PCGS label notes the Peterson-Tidwell provenance. Therein lies a story. In their day John and Sophia Tidwell had the no.1 die variety set of Capped Bust Half-Dollars. It included the Elton Dosier 1817/4 and all three crushed lettered edge proofs. At John’s retirement and with his eyesight failing the Tidwells allowed me to sell their set during the 2004 ANA Convention in Pittsburgh. This coin, then encapsulated by ANACS and graded AU 50, was in my bourse case, priced generically. Dr. Peterson snapped it up. It was sometime later that I learned how difficult it was to find this die pair in high grade. An XF is certainly R.5; in AU and UNC, try R.7! Proof of the pudding came at the 2016 Anaheim ANA. Chuck Link consigned a PCGS MS 62, the 2nd finest known. When the smoke cleared Dr. Peterson prevailed at $7,385 (MB 43, lot 66). As I said, the O.118 is tough to find in high grade! After the sale Tom Sears, hat in hand, asked his medical colleague if the Tidwell coin might be for sale. It was. I see a battle brewing as it makes its first auction appearance. Good luck! Est. $1,000 and up.
