Q. David Bowers
Ostheimer Specimen (another). MS-62. Described as following in Lester Merkin's sale: "Choice Uncirculated, obverse field prooflike (new die retaining polish), rev. frosty, faint obverse adjustment marks, two minute hidden reverse rim nicks, trivial bag marks-only one needing mention above T on obverse and that one not disturbing color, minute traces of cabinet friction from when this coin rested in a ninteenth century velvet display tray, above average strike, all obverse sharp but very center, borders bold, eagle's head very sharp, claws plain, part of breast feathers visible." • AJ. Ostheimer, 3rd Collection (Lester Merkin, 1968): Lot 224.
French Specimen. MS-60. Auction '84 description: "Uncirculated 60+, exceptional strike with less weakness on ,the left obverse stars and left reverse legend than usual, evidently a very early strike; date full and Liberty's hair is boldly defined; cheek completely rounded; reverse (which grades full MS-63) eagle's breast and leg feathers are all visible and very sharp; some very light mint-made adjustment marks on reverse rim but surfaces remarkably free of abrasions; toning entirely natural, a warm medium blend of gray violet, russet, and greenish-gold." • Auction '84 (Paramount, 1984): Lot 725, Uncirculated 60+ .• L.R. French, Jr. Family Collection (Stack's, 1989): Lot 2 • Gary Minsey Collection, MS-61 (PCGS).
Murdoch Specimen. AU-58. Empire Sale description: "Uncirculated; just the barest touch of cabinet friction, with frosty mint lustre. Perfectly centered, and an unusually bold impression. Stars rather bold." • Murdoch Collection, London (July 1903) • George H. Earle (Henry Chapman, 1912, Lot 2667) • Empire Collection (Cass Collection), 1957 .• The Gibson Collection (Stack's, 1974): Lot 75, 32,500.
Austrian Specimen. AU-55. Bowers and Ruddy description, 1976: "Sharply struck, borderline Uncirculated, faint adjustment marks, traces of clashed dies; complete &: well-defined denticles all around, sharp & square rims, hairlines from cabinet friction and some handling marks, shallow pit just about at eagle's 'navel''. "Austrian private collection" (or possibly the Paris Mint Collection or that of the Bibliotheque Nationale.» Paul H. Wittlin • 1956 A.N.A. Convention. sale conducted by James Kelly (Lot 1509, fetching $8,000) .• Stack's • Private owner. Sold to the following in 1975 .• Stack's > Julian Leidman and Mike Brownlee > Paul Nugget • Dave Berg • Private owner • Dr. Edward Willing Collection (Bowers and Ruddy, 1976): Lot 412,
The Miles Specimen. AU-50. Adjustment marks on left obverse; usual weak strike left obverse and reverse sides. R.L. Miles, Jr. Collection (Stack's, 1969): Lot 1525, AU .• "Autumn" Sale (Stack's, 1978): Lot 287, AD.
Connecticut Historical Society Specimen. AU-50. Bowers and Merena description: "EF-45, natural golden gray toning with some greenish blue highlights, trace of original mint lustre in protected areas, only slightest evidence of circulation wear or cabinet friction, Miss Liberty's head very bold with nearly all hair detail present, eagle and wreath are almost fully struck." • Many years in the Connecticut Historical Society Collection; sold in 1983 by Bowers and Merena. Described as EF with ad: justment marks .• Auction '88 (David Akers, 1988): Lot 628, AU-50 .• Auction '90 (David Akers, 1990): Lot 1626, AU-50.