In a remarkable numismatic discovery, an elderly woman from northeast Oklahoma is about to cash in on a treasure trove of historic silver half-dollars dating back to 1963. The canvas bag, which has remained sewn shut since its minting 60 years ago, contains 2,000 silver half-dollars struck at the Denver Mint and holds an intriguing story of a father’s thoughtful gift to his daughter.
The bag contains a total face value of $1,000, comprising fifty-cent denomination coins featuring the likeness of Benjamin Franklin. However, it is the silver content that makes this collection exceptionally valuable. Each 1963 half-dollar is estimated to hold approximately $9 worth of silver, adding a significant premium to their original face value. Moreover, in mint condition, these Denver Mint half-dollars can fetch around $50 each in today’s market.
Rick Tomaska, co-founder of Rare Collectibles TV based in Los Angeles, California, expressed his excitement about the upcoming auction. According to him, “This original, mint-sealed bag contains a piece of numismatic history. Considering the individual value of these coins, I would not be surprised if this bag sold for $100,000 or more.”
The bag, belonging to an elderly woman who chooses to remain anonymous, has an endearing backstory. In the 1970s, the woman’s father, a Denver dentist, gifted bags of silver half-dollars to each of his four children. While her siblings sold their coins over the years, she held onto her precious inheritance for five decades.
The canvas bag bears the inscription “U.S. MINT DENVER HALF DOLLAR $1,000 1963,” along with original stitching from the mint that securely sealed its contents. A vintage American Airlines tag attached to the bag, dated April 20, 1967, indicates its shipment to Oklahoma, where the woman’s retired father lived.
Rick Tomaska further commented on the rarity of this find, stating, “This is undoubtedly one of the last if not the very last known surviving, mint-sealed bag of 1963 Denver Mint Franklin half-dollars. The woman told me she kept it all these years because she loves silver.”
As the co-founder of Rare Collectibles TV, Tomaska is well-versed in rare coins, but he admitted that this discovery stands out as a truly unique and exceptional numismatic artifact. “This is the first time I’ve seen an original, mint-sealed bag of Franklin silver half-dollars in almost 40 years in the rare coin business,” he said, underscoring the extraordinary nature of this auction.
The auction, set to take place on July 27, 2023, will be broadcasted on national television on various channels, including DirectTV channel 222 and Dish channels 85 and 224. Bidding will commence at an impressive $69,000.
Numismatists, collectors, and investors alike are eagerly anticipating the auction, hoping to secure this extraordinary piece of history. Whoever emerges as the winning bidder will become the custodian of an invaluable and super rare numismatic artifact. Tomaska expressed a wish that the bag remains unopened to preserve its pristine, mint-sealed heritage.
The legacy of these silver half-dollars harks back to the rich history of the United States Mint, which began producing half-dollar denomination coins as early as 1794. The Benjamin Franklin design graced the coins from 1948 to 1963, following which it was replaced by the iconic tribute to President John F. Kennedy.
For those unable to participate in the live auction on television, online viewers can also join in on the bidding action by visiting https://www.rarecollectiblestv.com/watch-live-tv at 8 PM Eastern/ 5 PM Pacific on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
For more information and inquiries about the auction, interested parties can call 800-581-7273 or visit the official website of Rare Collectibles TV at www.RareCollectiblesTV.com. This unique event promises to be a historic moment in the world of numismatics, as enthusiasts and collectors eagerly await the fate of this exceptional mint-sealed bag of 1963 Denver Mint Franklin half-dollars.
