A 1934 Maryland Tercentenary commemorative half dollar graded Proof 63 by Professional Coin Grading Service with a green Certified Acceptance Corp. sticker realized $78,000 in Heritage’s August Platinum Night auction.

It was likely the product of U.S. Mint Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock, who created some Proof Maryland half dollars. Anthony Swiatek wrote in his book on commemoratives that each was struck twice by a coin press and then acid-dipped. Mint records are essentially silent on their creation as Proof strikes.

The coin was previously offered at David Akers’ October 1997 sale of the John Jay Pittman Collection, where it realized $24,200.

Heritage writes here: “The well-preserved lavender-gray surfaces show a few greenish-gold highlights, with typically subdued matte luster on both sides. Only a few insignificant signs of contact are evident, on close inspection.”

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