SOLD
220,000.00CAD+ (35,200.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2015 Feb 12 @ 22:47UTC-5 : EST/CDT
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50 Cents. 1921. ICCS graded Gem Uncirculated-65. The story of the 1921 50 cent piece is the stuff of numismatic legend, but like all legends that are worthy of the moniker, the tale of their origin is usually worth repeating.
As the second decade of the twentieth century drew to a close, demand for half dollars, a denomination first introduced to Canada in 1870, was waning as well. The reduction of silver purity in the coins in 1920 to only 80%, (from a former sterling standard of 92.5%) did nothing to help the situation, and by 1921 demand was so low that the entire mintage of half dollars for that year, over 200,000 pieces, was held in storage by the Royal Canadian Mint. They remained there for eight years, until in 1929 the need for half dollars was sufficient that the coins were considered for release. At the time, Master of the Mint John H. Campbell was reticent to release such a quantity of back-dated coins into the Canadian economy, for fear that the coins may be suspected as counterfeits. The solution was simple, when one has a mint at one's disposal, and the stockpiled half dollars were subsequently melted down and recoined into brand new 1929 50 cent pieces. The number of 1921's to have escaped this fate is estimated to be approximately 75 pieces.
Here we present one of those fortunate few coins to have been saved from the furnaces of the Royal Canadian Mint, and of its few remaining brethren, this coin stands among the finest known to numismatics. ICCS has certified only four examples of this exceedingly rare piece in Mint State, and of those only one is finer than this in MS-66. This piece boasts a further numismatic lineage, having once been in the renowned collection of John J. Pittman, as attested by the pedigree-marker abrasion near the king's eye.
At first glance the toning of this historic coin evokes hues of lavender-grey, but a deeper look will reveal that this is overlaid on subtle shades of straw gold, with tiny flecks of charcoal grey nestled among the legend and reverse leaves. A scant tilt causes the deep original lustre to flash across the frosty surfaces, a striking compliment to the crisp, well-struck designs. Further examination with a loupe will yield little of note; a single blemish, not unlike a short brush-stroke, extends out from the king's eye in the direction of the word 'DEI'. The remainder of the fields remain astoundingly immaculate, perfectly preserved for over 90 years.
While it may be inaccurate to state that the opportunity to purchase a 1921 50 cent of this caliber is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the fact remains that hammer prices for these prize rarities do not remain static. The Belzberg coin, for example, originally sold for $78,200 in 2003, but subsequently realized $218,500 in 2010 for the self-same coin. This is an opportunity, therefore, that a savvy collector should not allow to slip by without serious pursuit.
Auction Location:
Downtown Toronto Hilton Hotel, 145 Richmond St., West, Toronto. Osgoode Room., Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2L2, Canada
Previewing Details:
Auction Venue Lot Viewing in the Osgoode Room (3rd floor), February 10th, 2015 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. February 11th - 14th daily; 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Advance Viewing at Canadian Coin & Currency (metro Toronto store and showroom), 10355 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario
9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Starting February 2nd, 2015.
BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba - 5% GST
Ontario - 13% HST
Quebec - 5% GST
Newfoundland, New Brunswick, PEI - 13% HST
Nova Scotia - 15% HST
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| GST |
5% |
BC Gst |
| GST |
5% |
Alberta GST |
| GST |
5% |
Manitoba GST |
| HST |
13% |
New Brunswick HST |
| HST |
13% |
NFLD |
| GST |
5% |
NWT GST |
| HST |
15% |
Nova Scotia HST| |
| GST |
5% |
Nunavut GST |
| HST |
13% |
Ontario HST |
| HST |
13% |
PEI HST |
| GST |
5% |
Quebec GST |
| GST |
5% |
Sask GST |
| GST |
5% |
Yukon GST |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
21% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
SHIPPING AND INSURANCE
Unless otherwise instructed, lots purchased by postal bidders will be sent
by registered mail to the successful purchaser. Registration and actual postage
will be charged on all lots. There will also be a $3.00 charge
per lot for the packing and processing of numismatic books and literature.
Lots mailed to addresses not in the United States or Canada will be sent only at the
risk of the purchaser.
Payment Details:
No iCollector pickup at the Hilton Hotel.
Payment must be made to: The Canadian Legacy Sale
Pick up by appointment only after February 16th at:
Canadian Coin and Currency
10355 Yonge Street
Richmond Hill, ON
Payment in Canadian Funds or Equivalent. Terms are strictly cash or approved cheque. Credit Card payments (Master Card & VISA only) accepted. 2% per month interest charged after 30 days on unpaid invoices.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- Check/Cheque
- COD (cash on delivery)
- See Payment Details
- Wire Transfer
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE
BUYER’S PREMIUMS
A Standard Buyer’s Premium will be charged to successful purchasers for items purchased in the Public Auction Sale and in the Mail Bid Sale, in accordance with their method of bidding. The Standard Buyer’s Premium will be automatically discounted by 3% for purchasers who remit payment by cash, cheque, bank draft or wire transfer. The following table details the various Standard Buyer’s Premiums and discounts. Bidders are responsible for understanding their buyer’s premium prior to bidding.
Standard Buyer’s Premiums (Payable by Credit Card)
Live Floor Bidding - 18%
Mail / Email / Fax Bidding - 19%
Telephone Bidding - 19%
Online Bidding - 21%
Discounted Buyer’s Premium (Payable by Cash, Cheque, Wire)
Live Floor Bidding - 15%
Mail / Email / Fax Bidding - 16%
Telephone Bidding - 16%
Online Bidding - 18%
RETURN POLICIES
Mail bidders may return incorrectly described or misattributed lots for full credit within 5 days of receipt, except that as consignors must be paid, late remittance may be cause to negate return privileges, and absolutely no returns can be accepted for any reason after the expiry of 35 days from the date of the sale. ALL FLOOR SALES ARE FINAL, and no returns will be accepted from the floor bidders (including those acting as agents for others) for any reason whatsoever.
TITLE AND RISK LOTS
Title to all lots remains with the auctioneer until paid for in full, but they are held at the risk of the purchaser once the hammer has fallen.
GRADING
Grading is the subjective description in the opinion of the cataloguer as to the state of preservation, method of strike, and overall appearance of a particular coin. Adjectival descriptions and terminology (which can and does vary among experts and knowledgeable purchasers), when used in the catalogue, are strictly the opinion of the cataloguer. Where the Auctioneers sells a numismatic item graded and/or encapsulated by a grading service, Buyer acknowledges and agrees that other grading services, the Auctioneers or knowledgeable purchasers might reach a different conclusion as to the state of preservation. Any such information provided by the Auctioneers is the opinion of the third party, without recourse against the Auctioneers in any way whatsoever.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY
the Auctioneers act as an agent only between Consignor and Buyer. the Auctioneers do not represent that any coin catalogued will meet the standards, or the grade, of any third party or third party grading services; that third party graded numismatic items will receive the same grade if resubmitted; that any third party soft flip is secure or that a numismatic item has a particular provenance. The Auctioneers hereby disclaims all liability for damages, incidental, consequential or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with the sale of any property by the Auctioneers to the purchaser. All bidders, even if unsuccessful purchasers, agree to abide by this condition, and all other conditions of sale.
ERRORS OF AUCTIONEERS AND BIDDERS
While we cheerfully correct our errors, we cannot be responsible for the mistakes of others. Please check your bid sheet carefully. Please note that Live Bids are executed LIVE on the floor. The Auctioneers are not responsible for any missed lots due to network speed or down time.
TAXES
Lots delivered in Ontario are subject to harmonized sales tax at the current rate (13%). All lots delivered in Canada are subject to the GST or HST, as applicable to bidder’s province of residence. All sales are treated as retail sales by the auctioneer for the purpose of calculating the appropriate tax.