Eric P. Newman Collection, Part IX (Envelopes)

1921 $1 MS65 NGC. From a mintage of more than 44 million coins, the 1921 Morgan dollar represents the final issue in the series. Production resumed after a 17-year hiatus, with the Mint using new, slightly modified, low-relief hubs. The 1921 issue tends to be overlooked, but examples are scarce in higher grades, with populations dropping off dramatically in MS66. This lightly toned Gem exhibits pastel shades of ice-blue, violet, and peach-gold over each well-preserved side. The motifs are crisp, and tiny ticks occur on the portrait. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15453, realized $336. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1879-S $1 MS64 NGC. This S-mint issue, like the early-date San Francisco issues that immediately follow, is popularly sought-after for inclusion in collectors' type sets. The 1879-S with the Reverse of 1879 (as here) is widely collectible through the highest levels of Mint State. The present near-Gem dollar has a dusky overlay of predominantly violet-gray patina with intermittent glints of olive-green, gold, and blue. Both sides exhibit a bold impression, save for marginal softness on the eagle's breast. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15452, realized $228. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1873 T$1 AU58 NGC. CAC. The most plentiful 1873 Trade dollar issue is the Philadelphia, although even this date is scarce in high grade compared to the San Francisco issues of 1875-1878. The near-Mint coin offered here exhibits good strike sharpness and light high-point friction. Golden-toned interiors cede to rings of blue, sea-green, and violet at the borders. Slight reflectivity is discernible in the reverse fields. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15451, realized $2040. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1868 $1 OC-5, Low R.3, AU50 NGC. A pair of curving die lines in the dentils below the 6 identify this variety, which is occasionally mistaken for the Misplaced Date varieties, OC-2 and -3, that show the top of an errant 6 near the rim. This 1868 Seated dollar is well struck and mostly brilliant with light golden border toning. The fields are prooflike. Scattered light abrasions accompany the grade. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15450, realized $1440. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1847 $1 MS61 NGC. OC-2, R.1. Date position and die lines in the upper-left shield recess identify the variety. The 1847 Seated dollar is popular as a No Motto type coin, although Mint State examples are sometimes elusive. This piece displays semireflective fields and dappled gold, olive, russet, and powder-blue toning. Slight strike weakness occurs on the eagle's left (facing) talons and upper wing edge. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15449, realized $1980. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1912-D 50C AU58 NGC. Pretty champagne, amber, and powder-blue toning warms the satiny fields of this near-Mint type coin, while a trace of friction over the devices determines the grade. Moderate luster remains in the fields. Star 3 and the eagle's right (facing) shoulder exhibit expected strike softness. 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 @ $8.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15448, realized $504. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1875-S 50C WB-104, Die Pair 2, R.4, AU58 NGC. Four mintmark sizes are known among the 22 die marriages for the 1875-S. Only the Micro S mintmark is scarcer than the Small Wide S, with each of those two scarcities represented by single die marriages. This is a lilac-gray near-Mint State example with bright silver luster shining at the margins. Liberty's hair strands show minor blending, but the strike is otherwise sharp and there are no distracting marks. 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 @ $4.50; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15447, realized $456. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1873-S 50C Arrows, WB-101, Die Pair 1, High R.3, AU58+ NGC. CAC. Sharp-eyed Seated half specialists are sure to take notice of this borderline Uncirculated 1873-S. Just 228,000 pieces were struck, and a low survival rate makes this San Francisco issue a true sleeper in the series. The 1873-CC Arrows shows a similar mintage and a larger certified population, yet it is valued between 3 and 4 times the underrated 1873-S. This example displays nearly full mint luster with a razor-sharp strike. Dappled iridescent toning provides excellent eye appeal, with attractive shades of gold, lilac, and pale-blue throughout both sides. CAC endorsed. Census: 6 in 58 (1 in 58+), 9 finer. CAC: 2 in 58, 1 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 @ $15.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15446, realized $5040. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1861-O 50C WB-101, Die Pair 10, R.4 -- Obverse Scratched -- NGC Details. XF. This die pair was used by the Confederate States of America to strike half dollars between January 26 and May 31, 1861, after it had taken control of the New Orleans Mint. Diagnostics include a lump on Liberty's left (facing) shoulder, weak dentils below the date, and doubled outlines on the eagle's wings. The die crack that later travels from the rim down through the nose has not yet formed. Steel-gray surfaces show a couple of pinscratches across the obverse. Detail is good in spite of light friction and a touch of strike softness. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15445, realized $2640. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1854 50C Arrows, WB-101 -- Reverse Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. With a mintage approaching 3 million pieces, so many die marriages exist that there is no complete variety listing as of August 2017. Slate-gray shades display attractive golden accents on the obverse, while the reverse was once cleaned, and now shows intermittent gray and silver areas. A sharply struck, minimally marked example. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15444, realized $222. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.