Eric P. Newman Collection, Part I (Envelopes)

1838 P50C Half Dollar, Judd-72, Pollock-75, R.5, PR67 NGC. Design. A draped bust of Liberty facing left wears a diadem and a hair ribbon inscribed LIBERTY. The date appears below the bust with 13 stars around. The reverse presents an eagle with distinctive feathers, holding an olive branch and four arrows in its talons. The complete denomination is expressed as HALF DOLLAR below the eagle with the statutory legend around. Struck in silver with a reeded edge and medal-turn die alignment. Both dies are crisp with no evidence of die lapping, clash marks, cracks, or rust marks. Commentary. NGC weighed the piece at 12.4 grams. The perfect (uncracked) state of the dies suggests this is an early restrike. NGC has certified two examples as PR67, the other one designated as a Cameo proof (3/13). Physical Description. The centers of this Superb Gem proof exhibit reddish-orange patina within a frame of light blue and violet toning. The fields are fully mirrored beneath the toning, with lustrous devices and a hint of contrast. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3910, realized $24675.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1836 PG$1 Gold Dollar, Judd-67 Original, Pollock-70, R.5, PR65 Cameo NGC. CAC. Design. The design was engraved by Christian Gobrecht and the obverse was Mexican influenced with a Liberty cap surrounded by rays of glory. The reverse features the denomination 1 D. within a coiled palm frond, with the date below and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above. Struck in gold with a 10% copper alloy with a plain edge. Commentary. Judd-67 is the first gold dollar pattern struck in anticipation of a future coinage. It is also one of the few gold patterns, actually struck in gold that can be obtained at a somewhat reasonable price. Both originals and restrikes exist for Judd-67, with one overstruck example known on an 1859 gold dollar as its host. That piece is clearly visible on the USPatterns.com website. In general original strikes have a coin turn while restrikes have a medallic turn. However, there are exceptions, with some restrikes showing a coin turn. This design was restruck in 1844 with a 10% silver alloy, and it was also struck in silver, copper, and oroide or copper-nickel. Physical Description. This coin-turn piece is believed to be from the original striking period. The fields show remarkable depth of reflectivity on each side with noticeably frosted devices. Close examination reveals only the slightest contact marks, the only one distinctive enough to use as a pedigree identifier is a slight scuff located within the D in the denomination. This example is tied with one other piece at the PR65 Cameo level, and that coin is a PR65+ (2/13). From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3909, realized $28200.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.

1836 P2C Two Cents, Judd-52, Pollock-55, R.6, PR64+ NGC. CAC. Design. The obverse features a small eagle with outstretched wings standing on a cloud, with the peripheral legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and 1836 below. The reverse bears the denomination TWO CENTS surrounded by a laurel wreath. Struck in billon with a plain edge. Commentary. The billon composition is an alloy of copper and silver, and this piece contains 87% copper and 13% silver, weighing 4.1 grams, per the NGC label. About two dozen examples of Judd-52 are known along with others that are cataloged as Judd-53 with a reeded edge. Physical Description. A bold strike is evident with blue and iridescent toning around the obverse border, accenting the golden-brown surfaces. The underlying surfaces are fully lustrous. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3908, realized $18800.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.