PCGS to display finest halves
More than 100 coins from the all-time finest registry set of early U.S. half dollars in the PCGS Set RegistrySM will be displayed at the Professional Coin Grading Service booth Jan. 7-9 during the first three days of the Florida United Numismatists convention.
More than 100 coins from the all-time finest registry set of early U.S. half dollars in the PCGS Set RegistrySM will be displayed at the Professional Coin Grading Service booth Jan. 7-9 during the first three days of the Florida United Numismatists convention in Orlando.
The coins are from the collection of Dale Friend of Nevada, and 20 of them are either the finest or tied for the finest ever graded by PCGS.
“This wonderful collection has been assembled over many years,” said Donald E. Willis Jr., president of PCGS, a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. “Dale has always attempted to combine the finest technical grade with the choicest eye appeal. Most of these early half dollars have gorgeous, original toning and luster and are a pleasure to examine.”
Friend’s basic set collection of circulation strike early half dollars, 1794-1839, has been ranked number one in the PCGS Set Registry the past six years. His set with major varieties has been the best the past four years. Both sets have earned the honor of being the number one all-time finest in their category.
“The basic set is 100 percent complete and has a weighted grade point average of 59.831. The early half dollars set with varieties is nearly 90 percent complete and has a weighted GPA of 59.104,” said B.J. Searls, PCGS Set Registry manager.
A total of 101 coins from Friend’s award-winning early half dollars collections will be exhibited at the PCGS booth, #138, at the FUN convention. Highlights include:
• 1794 (Overton 101), PCGS MS-61, finest known
• 1796, 16 stars, PCGS AU-50
• 1802, PCGS AU-58
• 1806, pointed 6, stem, PCGS MS-64
• 1807 large stars 50/20, PCGS MS-64
• 1811 large 8, PCGS MS-65
• 1813, PCGS MS-64
• 1817/3 overdate, PCGS MS-64, none higher
• 1818/7, large 8 overdate, PCGS MS-64
• 1822/1 overdate, PCGS MS-64, none higher
• 1823 PCGS MS-66, finest known
• 1830 small 0, PCGS MS-65
• 1839 reeded edge, PCGS MS-65
A retired Dallas lawyer now living in Northern Nevada, Friend said the early half dollars series provided “the most fun of any I have ever attempted. Finding examples from AU to MS-67 finest known provides a great treasure hunt, with all of the coins original and full of history. I plan to keep these sets intact for a long time as I cannot imagine parting with any of these beautiful children.”
Established in 2001, the PCGS Set Registry now hosts more than 46,000 sets of U.S. and world coins. Collectors compare their collections to other current and all-time great collections. Sets are ranked in the order of grade point average, completion and overall rating.
PCGS will offer on-site authentication and grading services at the FUN convention including a one-day walkthrough turnaround for $100 on any coin with a maximum value of $100,000. Two additional show specials for on-site authentication and grading in Orlando will be available to all PCGS Authorized Dealers and members of the PCGS Collectors Club: $65 for U.S. and world coins valued up to $3,000 each with a minimum submission of five coins, and $45 for any U.S. gold coin valued up to $3,000 each with a minimum submission of 10 coins.
Collectors and dealers also will have the opportunity to have their PCGS-graded coins digitally imaged with the PCGS TrueView photo service on-site during dealer setup and public days Jan. 6-8. The service will be available on a limited first-come, first-served basis at $50 per coin photo.
For more information on PCGS, visit www.PCGS.com, and for additional information on its Set Registry, visit www.PCGS.com/setregistry/information.html.
