122
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Half Dollars
R
ARE
1872-S L
IBERTY
S
EATED
H
ALF
780
1872-S
.
NGC graded MS-65
. Well struck and mostly
untoned.
Pop 2; 3 finer, 2 in 66, 1 in 67
.
Estimated Value ...................................... $9,000 - 10,000
781
1873. No Arrows, Closed 3
.
PCGS graded Proof 63
. Only
600 minted. Lovely deep purple, bold, and blue toning on both
sides, the iridescent deep cobalt-blue hue most enjoyable to
view. A few light hairlines. Don't expect the some halfhearted
impression left by the striking of the dies that made this 1873
No Arrows Half Dollar, for we see that the opposite is true. This
is a very bold Proof with sharp centers, legends and stars.
Pop
51; 64 finer
. (
PCGS # 6431
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,100 - 1,200
782
1873. Arrows
.
PCGS graded Proof 63
. Lovely deep blue,
gold, and lavender toning. A razor-sharp Proof. Only 550 struck.
Pursuant to the Coinage Act of 1873, the adjusted weight silver
coins in production beginning in 1873 had the tolerance wide
enough that the previous blanks could still be used. The half
dollars coined from 1853 through 1873 had a standard weight
of 12.44 grams while the new half dollars beginning in 1873 had
a weight standard set at 12.50 grams. With a tolerance of plus
or minus 0.2 grams, any planchet that weighed between 12.30
and 12.70 grams was legal. Walter Breen proposed that the
mint did not make any actual adjustments to the previous stan-
dard in use. The most likely scenario is that they began produc-
ing blank planchets at the new weight standard, but went
ahead and coined all of the previous blanks that had been pre-
pared and were awaiting coinage. This is a gleaming Proof,
choice throughout, and with aesthetic appeal. Few survivors
from the With Arrows Proof mintage of 1873 are as mark-free
as this, and only few dozen finer examples certified.
Pop 41; 54
finer, 41 in 64, 12 in 65, 1 in 66.
(
PCGS # 6434
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$2,300 - 2,400
1874 A
RROWS
S
EATED
H
ALF
D
OLLAR
783
1874. Arrows
.
PCGS graded Proof 65.
CAC
Approved
. Lovely blue and golden colors on both sides. A
bold strike. Only 750 minted. Magnificent surfaces that
show no signs of handling or any similar problem. Deeply
toned we note all shades are finely blended over the
devices as if Nature had spent more than a century care-
fully working behind the scenes. A rare, desirable With
Arrows Proof type coin, and certainly one of the finer
known. The Proof arrows variety with motto was issued for
just 1873 and 1874, and in very limited production num-
bers. To locate a high end gem like this tests ones mettle,
so don't let this coin escape without at least bidding once.
Pop 15; 8 finer, 1 in 65+, 4 in 66, 3 in 67
. (
PCGS #
6435
)
Estimated Value ........................................ $7,000 - 8,000
784
1875
.
PCGS graded Proof 66
. Beautiful blue toning on both
sides. Only 700 minted. A sparkling gem of the optimum quality
for this actively collected Seated Liberty With Motto design.
Intense reflective luster blends effortlessly with toned mirror-
Proof highlights on the outstanding surfaces.
Pop 9; 1 finer in
67
. (
PCGS # 6436
)
Monetary conditions in the 1870s: The 1870s were a time in
American history where the monetary chaos that resulted from
the Civil War was alleviated, and the country got back to using
silver and gold money backing suitable paper money certifi-
cates. Between 1873 and 1879, conditions were still stabilizing
when this Proof Half Dollar went into production. For years, the
country had had to deal with fraction currency notes of denomi-
nations from 3c to 50c. Silver coins were either hoarded or
exported. Few circulated. Gold carried a preium over "par" with
Par being $100 in greenbacks equal to $100 in gold coin. After
1877, the fractional notes ceased to be used as a general cur-
rency. The large production of new coins by the mint from 1873
to 1877, and the influx of old coins from abroad in the latter
year, gave the country a supply of small silver change greatly in
excess of its needs, and the public preference for metal over
paper in those days led to a rapid withdrawal of the fractional
notes. In one respect the notes were superior to coins. They
were convenient and safe in remittances of small sums by mail.
Estimated Value ..............................................$4,200 - 4,400
