anyone else read the article in this last Coin World? 8th known specimen of a the 1817/4 Bust Half dollar found in a pile of dirt... sold for over a quarter of a million dollars at the FUN show? craziness... It was almost like you could hear a thousand metal detector hobbists around the world going :headbang:
I was amazed at the condition of the piece, really... whoever restored it did a heck of a job, since it sure didn't look to me to be pulled out of a pile of dirt. I found a large cent once, but I assume it was dropped by someone who just didn't want it anymore since it was hardly even covered.
I read the first article about it and I don't think it was restored except for running it under water and maybe soap. He said he found it digging up a front porch and he heard it when he threw the dirt from the shovel. Also his son ID the coin as a variety.
Maybe someone stole it and made up a plausible story to cover tracks. It has happened with stolen high-grade gold specimens quite often.
I find it amazing how these coins could have gotten buried for so long. How do coins end up getting buried in the first place?
Well, if it was found under a front porch it would have gotten covered really quickly with all the soil being knocked from the shoes. Bone
This is unlikely given the rarity of the issue, especially since it is the only specimen in its general condition. I believe there is one AU coin, this one (XF), and then 12 more in VF or less. It is possible, but unlikely that this coin's story is anything other than what it appears to be.
