Eric P. Newman Collection, Part IX (Envelopes)

1837 10C No Stars, Large Date, F-101b, R.2, MS65 S NGC. CAC. This piece is in the early stages of the die state, showing the radial crack from the obverse rim at 4 o'clock but not the other at 7 o'clock. The fields are semiprooflike, and the sharpness of the strike is outstanding; a partial wire rim surrounds each periphery. Silvery interiors cede to original lavender, sea-green, and yellow-gold toning in the margins. Census: 28 in 65 (2 in 65 Star), 32 finer. CAC: 16 in 65, 4 finer (8/17). Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $90.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15081, realized $6600. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1803 10C JR-3, R.4 -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. The heavy die cracks at the date and UNITED have not yet developed on this piece, although both dies are clashed. Hairline scratches prevent a numeric grade but are unobtrusive to the naked eye. Russet, olive, and violet border toning frames champagne-tinted interiors and produces pleasing visual appeal. A nice type coin of a less-often-seen date. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $50.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15080, realized $4080. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1797 10C 16 Stars, JR-1, R.4, AU55 NGC. CAC. The reported mintage of 1797 dimes (25,261 pieces) may include many 1796-dated coins, given the scarcity of the 1797 versus the 1796 in all grades. Two die pairs represent the entire 1797 mintage: JR-1 has a Pointed 9 with 16 stars, while JR-2 has a Knob 9 and 13 stars. The two varieties share the same reverse. This example displays a middle die stage, with die clashing on both sides and a heavy, biplanar die crack above the date. Later states of the die and lower-grade pieces usually have the date either partially or fully obscured by premature wear due to sinking of the die along the break. Here, the date is sharply defined. Attractive blue and golden-brown border toning adds eye appeal to the silver-gray centers. Census: 2 in 55, 7 finer. CAC: 2 in 55, 4 finer (8/17). Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $100.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15079, realized $20400. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1801 H10C V-1 and V-2, LM-2, R.4, AU53 NGC. In this die state, a heavy vertical crack stretches from the Y in LIBERTY to star 13. The present coin displays complete rims and a bold portrait, although the eagle is weak on the head and neck from light wear. Daubs of rainbow toning at the rims frame light golden interiors. The 1801 half dime as a date is scarce, and pieces rarely appear that are finer than the present. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $50.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15078, realized $7200. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1797 H10C 15 Stars, V-2, LM-1, R.3, AU50 NGC. CAC. This Almost Uncirculated Draped Bust type coin offers beautiful multicolor toning in concentric rings throughout the margins. The interiors are champagne-gray, and russet appears at the rims. Some strike weakness occurs at the centers as is normal for the variety. Several small strike-throughs (mint-made) can be seen in the reverse fields, and there is a diagonal adjustment mark on the eagle's breast. Half dimes of this date with original patina are rarely so appealing. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $25.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15077, realized $8400. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1794 H10C V-2, LM-2, R.5, AU55 NGC. Only the LM-1 variety is scarcer among the four die marriages used to strike an unknown-but-small mintage of 1794-dated pieces. All Flowing Hair half dimes were struck in 1795, but only a limited number of those carry the 1794 date, and most likely all were included in the Mint's delivery of half dimes on March 30, 1795. This example displays russet and blue border toning with pale-ivory interiors. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15076, realized $9000. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1792 H10C Half Disme, Judd-7, Pollock-7, R.4, XF40 NGC. CAC. Although numismatic legend closely links George Washington to the striking of half dismes in 1792, the inaugural coinage of the United States Mint is better associated with Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State. On July 11, 1792, Jefferson deposited $75 worth of silver at the Mint, in the form of either bullion or foreign silver from circulation, and two days later returned to collect 1,500 newly coined half dismes. A July 13 notation in Jefferson's Memorandum book concisely stated: "Recd from the mint 1500 half dismes of the new coinage." The coins were struck under the auspices of the Mint from a deposit of silver, thus they were legal tender coinage under the terms of the law. Notations in Jefferson's account book after he collected the coins from the Mint indicate that the Secretary may have spent some during his trip from Philadelphia to Monticello. The "mint" referred to in Jefferson's Memorandum book was not the physical structure known today as the first mint building. The deed for the Mint's physical property was not signed until July 18, 1792, and construction of the building was not completed until later. The mint, at this point, was an entity that operated in a limited capacity out of Philadelphia saw maker John Harper's cellar, on 6th St., where the coining machinery was temporarily situated. It is believed that the 1792 half dismes were struck at that location between July 11th and 13th. The present example is pedigreed to "Colonel" Green. In the new reference work on 1792 pattern coinage by Pete Smith, et al, 1792: Birth of a Nation's Coinage (2017), this coin is listed among the institutional collections since it was previously housed in the Newman Money Museum. This is its first recorded appearance at public auction. The strike is bold and relatively even for a screw press impression, although the reverse die is minutely out of alignment toward 10 o'clock. The obverse shows minor wear on the highest hair curls of the portrait, while the reverse eagle exhibits light wear on the breast and right (facing) wing. The H in HALF is poorly defined. Both sides offer pleasing gunmetal-blue, russet, and lavender-gray toning. The current census of 1792 half dismes includes 169 confirmed coins (Smith, et al), most of which are in circulated condition with various impairments. The originality and strong quality of the present coin, along with its pedigree, will be greatly appreciated by the seemingly inexhaustible number of collectors who admire the United States' first regular issue coinage. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $125.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15075, realized $132000. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1913 5C Type One PR65 NGC. James Earle Fraser designed the Buffalo nickel after convincing Mint officials "The idea of the Indian and the buffalo on the same coin is, without doubt, purely American and seems to be singularly appropriate to have on one of our national coins." Fraser also designed the 1926 Oregon Trail Memorial commemorative half dollar, another purely American design that perhaps equals the Buffalo nickel in its high level of artistry. While the new nickel design was approved in mid-1912, engraving of the dies was delayed while Fraser was forced to modify the depth of its relief in an attempt to satisfy the vending and coin-operated machine lobby, which argued that the new nickel would not conform to its counterfeit-detection apparatus (designed to work with the previous Liberty Head nickel design). The "tail wagged the dog" for several months as Fraser attempted to refine the design. Production was delayed into the new year and it was not until February 15, 1913 that the Mint declared no more changes would be made in that regard. The design elements of this Gem proof are intricately defined, and the rich matte luster yields warm champagne toning with no distracting marks. The Type One proof not only shows the bison standing on a mound with the denomination elevated, it also has more a ruggedly refined texture in the fields that was largely eliminated on the Type Two variant. Many series specialists consider the Type One to be the aesthetically superior design. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $6.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15074, realized $3360. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1839 1C Booby Head, N-13, R.2, MS65 Red and Brown NGC. CAC. The origin of the term Booby Head apparently predates the Silly Head term by several years, appearing in Edward Cogan's October 1859 priced catalog of the W.C. Tripler Collection. The Newcomb 13-die pair is one of nine Booby Head varieties that were created from seven very similar obverse dies. The reverse die was used first for N-15, then for N-13, and here displays prominent die cracks through TED STAT. A series of small lumps on the obverse rim from 11 o'clock to 2 o'clock are likely small flanges that were folded over during striking, although they appear almost identical to small rim breaks. Both sides are fully lustrous with bluish-brown toning and considerable original orange mint luster. The present piece from the Eric P. Newman Collection easily ranks within the Condition Census for the variety and is likely the second or third finest known example. Our EAC grade MS64. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15072, realized $8400. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1839 1C Silly Head, N-9, R.2, MS64+ Brown NGC. CAC. The terms Silly Head and Booby Head have been associated with the cents of 1839 for a century and a half since they were described by Ebenezer Mason in his article, "Peculiarities of American Coins" in the June 1868 issue of Mason's Coin and Stamp Collector's Magazine: {blockquote}"The Silly head is more arched on the top than the last [Head of 1838]; has the lock over the forehead short, and the line under the word Cent on the reverse, but without the mint mark."{/blockquote} Mason's term "mint mark" is what we know today as a center dot. Apparently like always, this piece has a delicate bisecting obverse die crack from 11 o'clock across the head to 5 o'clock. An additional crack extends downward through Liberty's nose and chin. The dentilation on both sides is weak on this late die state piece. This impressive near-Gem example has lustrous olive-brown surfaces with considerable original orange mint luster. Only a small patch of green corrosion on the hair strands below the inner hair bun prevents a Gem grade assessment. Our EAC grade MS63. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15071, realized $2880. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.