While the Franklin half dollar was first introduced for
circulation in 1948, Proof examples were not issued by the Mint until 1950. The
Mint had suspended Proof coinage in 1942 with the onset of World War II, and would
not produce these special strikes for nearly a decade. Demand for Proof coinage
was evidently high, as these new mintages were exponentially higher than those
from earlier in the century. The 1950 is not only the first Proof half dollar
of this type, but it is also the most challenging to collect. Its mintage of
51,386 Proofs is the lowest in this series, and most survivors show
considerable evidence of having been poorly made or carelessly handled.
According to series specialist Rick Tomaska, "Glue spots, the use of
overused dies, poor packaging, improper handling, all conspire to make high
quality examples of this date extremely scarce or rare."
We are thrilled to offer a Proof-67+ Cameo (NGC) CAC 1950
half dollar in lot
4110 of our March 2021 Las Vegas Auction. This piece ranks among the very
finest known, with only three coins graded finer by NGC in this category and
just a single coin listed higher at CAC. It is an exceptionally well produced
and preserved example of a key date issue. The surfaces are brilliant, silky
smooth and virtually pristine. Richly frosted devices starkly contrast with the
mirrored fields with an intensity that is close to a Deep Cameo designation.
The true radiance of this piece is best showcased through our proprietary Coins
in Motion imaging technology, which can be viewed here.
This magnificent Proof-67+ Cam (NGC) CAC 1950 half dollar,
from the Pittstown Collection, is featured in lot
4110 of our March 2021 Las Vegas Auction. The Pittstown Collection comprises
an impressive display of 20th century issues with a focus on
Franklin half dollars, Peace dollars, and Eisenhower dollars. This is one of
many important collections featured in the sale, that also includes selections
from the D. Brent Pogue Collection, the Collection of Silas Stanley Roberts,
and the Washington Rainbows Collection. The sale is available for viewing and
bidding on our website www.StacksBowers.com and
printed catalogs are available for purchase. If you would like to consign to an
upcoming sale or have questions about the consignment process, please contact
us today at Consign@StacksBowers.com or
800-566-2580.
