St. Louis auctioneer Scotsman Auction Co. will host its 2014
Collectors’ Auction on Friday, Oct. 17, 2014, in Saint Charles, Mo.,
at the Saint Charles Convention Center in association with the Silver
Dollar and Rare Coin Expo. The auction will start at 5 p.m. Central
Standard Time.
As typically seen with Scotsman auctions, the sale encompasses a
wide range of numismatic material, including a strong currency
section. Among the highlights is an 1838-C Classic Head gold $5 half eagle graded
Mint State 60 by Numismatic Guaranty Corp. NGC has graded just two
examples finer and the mintage is enticingly low at just 17,179
pieces. It is estimated at $30,000 to $40,000.
What makes this coin interesting is the story behind it. According
to Scotsman, the coin has a known ownership history that begins at the
Civil War. The story starts with William Henry Harrison Duff of the 1
Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, Company F. He survived the war and married
Naomi Vineyard on Sept. 14, 1865. This coin was the wedding gift from
her family.
The coin was then passed down to the consignor, who received the
coin from his Aunt Letha Rich Mckenzie in the fall of 1967. She had
received it in 1938 when she graduated from nursing school, from her
grandmother Naomi Vineyard Duff.
Scotsman adds, “Thus, the coin has been in Col. Rich's family for
about 150 years, since the time of the Civil War, and this only adds
to the mystique as a Charlotte piece (1838-C gold half-eagle)” before
concluding that the sale represents a “once in a lifetime”
opportunity for a lucky collector.
On the coin's condition, the firm writes a detailed analysis,
noting, “Obviously, NGC chose not to give a grade at the
"choice" level, so further investigation is required to
determine what factors may have led to that decision. Magnification
reveals a plethora of tiny, feathery hairlines fluttering within both
obverse and reverse fields, although there is also evidence of strong
die polish which helps confuse matters. Let's just say the coin
undoubtedly saw opportunities to get wiped during 176 years of existence.”
It is estimated at $30,000 to $40,000.
Visit Scotsman
online, call the firm at 314- 692-2646, or visit them at their
offices at 11262 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63141. The auction
will take place at the Saint Charles Convention Center, One Convention
Center Plaza, Saint Charles, Mo., 63303.