1840 Liberty Seated Half Dime, No Drapery, Proof-64 (PCGS/CAC)
Rare Proof With Only 5-6 Known, Ex Eliasberg

Grayish gold and amber at the centers, with vivid blue and hints of violet toward the rims. A web of fine hairlines sets the grade, although none are particularly prominent. The fields are uniformly reflective with no frost, and the devices, stars, letters and numerals are boldly struck. A slight lint mark through the upper left of the O in OF identifies this specimen.

Proof 1840 No Drapery Half Dimes are great rarities, with current estimates of 5 to 6 surviving examples including the Eliasberg (this coin), Bareford, Pittman, and Smithsonian (National Numismatic Collection) examples. Notably, both the Garrett and Norweb Collections lacked a Proof 1840 No Drapery Half Dime. PCGS has certified only this coin in PR64, and none others in any grade. In comparison, Heritage notes only one sale, from the Phil Kaufman Collection (Heritage 8/2007: 1779 @ $48,875 as NGC PR66).

Provenance:

• Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. (Bowers and Merena 5/1996: lot 950 as "Possible Finest Known ... Proof-66" @ $22,000)