1861 Original Confederate Half Dollar Headlines Auction

Heritage Auctions is pleased to announce their ninth presentation of selections from the incomparable Eric P. Newman Collection. Both currency and U.S. coins from the Eric P. Newman Collection highlight Day One of our three-day Signature Auction, to be held November 1-3 at Heritage’s World Headquarters at 3500 Maple Avenue in Dallas.

Currency items start the day on Wednesday, November 1, while U.S. coins follow in the evening session. As always, the scope, quality, and numismatic significance of the Eric P. Newman Collection is on full display. Most of the coins are making their first appearance at auction in nearly 70 years, and some pieces have never before been offered in a public sale.

1861-Original-Confederate-50c

1861 50C Original Confederate States of America Half Dollar PR40 NGC. CAC. 190.5 grains.
(Image by Heritage Auctions, HA.COM.)

Such is the case with the 1861 Original Confederate half dollar, which headlines our Dallas event as lot 15125. It is in its first public appearance, having traded hands only by private treaty among some of the finest collections of all time, including the “Colonel” Green Estate, from which it was acquired by B.G. Johnson and Eric P. Newman. Graded PR40 NGC with CAC endorsement, it is one of just four pieces struck (three available to private collectors) and one of the greatest rarities in all of numismatics. Arguably, an Original Confederate half dollar is even rarer and of greater historic significance than a 1913 Liberty Head nickel (as Mr. Newman knows, having owned all five of the1913 nickels at one time).

Other important coins in the Dallas event include many rare and memorable Colonials, high-value early copper and silver type, and elusive Territorial Gold pieces. A large number of lots will be offered in the online Signature Internet Session to be held on Friday, November 3. There, they present a wonderful opportunity for collectors of all budgets to obtain coins with the prestigious Eric P. Newman pedigree.

Highlights of this offering include coins such as these:

As in the previous auctions, items sold are from the extensive collection of Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society (a Missouri not-for-profit corporation), which has been assembled over a period of 90 years. Proceeds of the sale of all items will be used exclusively for supplementing the Society’s museum operations and scholarly numismatic research efforts and for the benefit of other not-for-profit institutions selected by Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society for public purposes.

This auction will open for bidding soon at www.HA.com/coins.