Lot
2194 of the Rarities Night Session in our August 2017 ANA World’s Fair of Money
auction will showcase an impressive Mint State 1929 Indian half eagle.
Certified MS-62 by PCGS and approved by CAC, this lovely rarity is one of just
700 to 750 surviving examples from a mintage of 662,000 pieces. Though this
mintage was among the most ambitious figures of the Indian half eagle series,
the crash of the stock market and the economic downturn that followed ensured
that the vast majority were never released for circulation. Instead, these
coins sat in vaults until the issuing of the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 and were
eventually melted similar to cotemporary rarities like the 1933 Saint-Gaudens
double eagle. Though just a small number of 1929 Indian half eagles remain,
most of this extant population is in Uncirculated grades, in contrast to most
scarcer gold issues from the 19th century that are often heavily worn and
mishandled. The 1929 would be the final
half eagle ever struck for circulation by the U.S. Mint, concluding production that
spanned over 134 years. For collectors of Indian gold or 20th century type, the
present piece is a truly significant offering.
Medium
golden-wheat shades dominate the surfaces, with pinkish hues visible
throughout. A few scattered marks are noted on the otherwise satiny and
lustrous fields. The design elements are sharply rendered and nicely protected.
This piece is well-produced for the issue and does not show the interior crease
that often lines the circumference on examples (as noted by specialists Mike
Fuljenz and Allan Schein). The strong eye appeal is matched by delightful
preservation, as reinforced by the CAC sticker.
This
piece will be featured in Rarities Night in our August 2017 ANA auction,
accompanying such astounding rarities as the Lord St. Oswald-Norweb 1794
Flowing Hair dollar and the 1853-O No Arrows Liberty Seated half dollar from
the Garrett Collection. Contact us today at 1-800-458-4646 or email
info@StacksBowers.com to secure your copy of this exciting catalog!
