 1872'S' WB.102. Medium-Small Mintmark. Gem Brilliant Uncirculated or finer. A delightful and extraordinary ''match'' to the prior coin in terms of quality, but this one was struck with a different reverse die with a larger mintmark placed lower and between the 'F D' of HALF DOL. Both the obverse and reverse show abundant lustre and are perfectly matched with tawny gold to gray toning. The surfaces are splendid indeed, and a strong magnifier can scarcely detect any signs of handling. There are strong planchet roller lines particularly on the reverse, which are best seen atop the devices and lettering. Identifiable by a minute toning speck below the foot of the 'R' of AMERICA, and by a tiny nick in the field near Liberty's knee, another below the first 'A' of AMERICA. A faint die crack connects UNITED STATES at the tops of a few letters. Fully struck on the obverse and reverse, with no weakness readily visible.
A monumental offering in its own right, and certainly one of the top three known of this date. This coin is overshadowed by the prior coin which is technically a hair finer and lacks the striation lines in the planchet; although mint caused, they are a slight aesthetic detriment. For anyone who desires a splendid example of this elusive date, this auction presents a rare opportunity to pick from 2 of the 3 finest known examples of the 1872'S' Half Dollars.
Purchased in November 2001; earlier ex The Louis Eliasberg Collection (Bowers and Merena/Stack's, April 1997, lot 2020).
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