HERITAGE: NEW DISCOVERY COINS IN GACC SALE

1867-S Half Eagle, MS63 PCGS.

1867-S Half Eagle, MS63 PCGS. This recently discovered and certified 1867-S half eagle is the new finest known example of the date by a margin of two full grade points. It is also the finer of just two pieces reported in Mint State. Overall, fewer than 100 1867-S half eagles are believed to exist across all grades.

The coin was discovered in the most romantic fashion. During the evaluation of an old estate in Buda, Texas, a green milk crate was found in the corner of a bedroom closet, which contained an old cigar box and two old shoe boxes — the latter full of Lincoln Wheat cent rolls. The cigar box, however, held the prize: an 1867-S half eagle in Mint State, along with some other coins of the same period. According to the heirs of the estate, these coins came from family members in Columbus, Ohio, and they are believed to have originated from the family's great-grandfather, who was a Union soldier during the Civil War. The cigar box, and the coins it contained, are said to have belonged to him following his discharge from the Union Army in 1865. The small collection of coins was passed down through two generations of the family before arriving with the current estate. There are many stories of old-time family collections being discovered hidden away for many years, but rarely do such stories involve the discovery of a true numismatic rarity. In this case, the discovery upsets current understanding of the Condition Census of a scarce issue.

More information about the 1867-S Half Eagle, MS63 PCGS available in this PCGS article.

1796 Small Eagle Quarter, B-2, R.3, NGC Details. VG.

1796 Small Eagle Quarter, B-2, R.3, NGC Details. VG. Tompkins Die State 2/1. This coin was an exciting recent "dig find" from New Hampshire, and a video of the find filmed on a GoPro-style camera in the moments of the discovery is viewable as part of our online listing for the lot.

Finding old coins buried in the ground is always exciting, but rarely does such a find produce a rare issue like a 1796 Small Eagle quarter. An interesting countermark was punched onto Liberty's neck truncation prior to this coin's burial, appearing to be the initials "OC" from a prepared punch. The origin of this countermark is unknown to us, and it is unlisted in any of our references. Most likely, this is the mark of a tradesman or perhaps a silversmith, jeweler, or simply the initials of an unknown individual. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, countermarking circulating coins was common practice for advertisement. This piece having such a countermark simply adds to the intrigue of its discovery more than 200 years after it was dropped in the grass and forgotten.

See these and other great rarities in our October 8-9 GACC Signature® auction. Live lot viewing will occur at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center for the GACC Show, September 30 - October 3. We'll see you there!

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web