Goldberg Coins & Collectibles Auctions    
       

       

                             



Sale 31: The Pre-Long Beach Auction May 30 - June 1, 2005
             

             
            Lot 2191Great Britain. Halfcrown, 1677. Charles II. S-3367. 4th 
            draped bust. "VICESIMO NONO" in all probability but the edge is not 
            visible in the slab. Bright with luster. Light gold toning on 
            reverse. Struck from clashed dies. An exceptionally high-grade 
            example of this classic, showing the interlinked C's in between the 
            shield's quadrants on reverse. While there is some disturbance to 
            the luster, the fact that there is luster at all is highly unusual. 
            The vast majority of silver of this reign, and particularly the 
            crowns and halfcrowns, are seldom found in grades better than VF. 
            Almost none still retains any of the original "gleam" seen on this 
            coin. Many of the so-called nicest examples that go through the 
            London sale rooms have been cleaned or are drab but are not so noted 
            in the descriptions. This coin is well-balanced with an 
            above-average strike that is particularly sharp in numerous details 
            (Charles' hair is never seen fully detailed) and surfaces which are 
            far, far finer than on 95% of his halfcrowns, of any date or 
            portrait style. Most flans of this period are also plagued by alloy 
            flaws or poor rolling, but not this coin. A rare type, worth a 
            strong bid! NGC graded MS-63. 
            Estimated Value $4,600-5,000. 

            Provenance: The Cheshire Collection.


          








Courtesy Ira & Larry Goldberg Auctioneers, Beverly Hills, CA. www.goldbergcoins.com