The Bayside New York Collection contains an incredible 100-plus half dollars minted between 1794 and 1807. Heritage will offer this wonderful assemblage as a Featured Collection in the upcoming 2008 July-August Baltimore, MD (ANA) US Coin Signature Auction.

Early half dollars are a favorite - albeit challenging - series among advanced collectors. Their fascination with die varieties is one of the very oldest traditions in American numismatics. Using his keen eye, the consignor assembled a collection featuring an abundance of beautiful variety examples over many years. The collection is sure to attract early half specialists, as well as type collectors seeking beauty and rarity.

Without any question, the cream of the Bayside New York Collection is the complete selection of 1796-1797 varieties. This is the second time that all four varieties of the Draped Bust, Small Eagle type consigned from one collection has crossed the Heritage auction block; the first time was the Reiver collection in January 2006. To put this achievement in its proper context, we are aware of only three other times ever that an auction has contained all four varieties from a single consignor.

The Bayside name came from the area where the consignor grew up and discovered coin collecting. He bought his first group of bust halves (about 20 of them, at 55-cents each!) late in WWII, when a neighborhood friend needed to raise cash. With a library copy of Beistle as his guide, he started down the path to becoming an expert in the series. Over the decades, while he collected many different series, he always pursued the early halves first. Even while stationed in the Pacific, this career Navy officer was able to continue collecting, thanks to the excellent FPO mail system. When stateside, he entertained Al Overton in his home. After his retirement, he took tables at dozens of coin shows to get first crack at the early halves on the market.

Highlights, many of which have video descriptions, of the Bayside New York Collection include:

• 1794 50C, O-101 VF30 NGC.
• 1794 50C, O-106, R.6 VF35 NGC.
• 1795 50C Two Leaves, O-101, R.7 VF20 NGC.
• 1795 50C 2 Leaves, O-105 XF40 NGC.
• 1795 50C 2 Leaves, O-106, R.6 VF20 NGC.
• 1795 50C Two Leaves, O-120, Low R.7 XF Details NCS.
• 1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, R.5 AU58 PCGS.
• 1796 50C 16 Stars, O-102, High R.5 VF30 PCGS.
• 1797 50C O-101a, High R.4 VF30 NGC.
• 1797 50C O-102, Low R.6 VF35 PCGS.
• 1805/4 50C O-103, R.5 XF40 NGC.