PRESS RELEASE:   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Scarsdale, NY 

July 24, 2007

Additional Information Please Contact

Jonathan Lerner 914-806-2225

TheCoinFest@Yahoo.com

The unique 1870-S half dime, a coin entirely unknown to the numismatic community until 1978 and currently valued at $2,500,000.00 will be publicly exhibited for the first time since the 2000 millennium at Coinfest  October 27-28^th   confirmed by Jonathan Lerner the promoter of Coinfest.

Laura Sperber of Legend Numismatics who has arranged for the display of the unique piece stated “the coin is definitely not for sale, it resides and is the shining centerpiece of the LAW Collection, yet the collector who owns the piece wanted to share with other hobbyist this fantastic rarity”.

Collectors were astonished with the announcement in 1978 that a single 1870 half dime bearing a San Francisco mintmark had turned up, reportedly found in a dealer's "junkbox." Whether or not that tale is true, the coin's previous history is clouded in mystery. Today, it has earned its place among the top American rarities and is one of the great mysteries of U.S. coinage.  Six pair of obverse and reverse dies were shipped to the San Francisco Mint, according to Mint records, however only this single lone coin is known today.

The 1870-S is a coin so unique that even the great Eliasberg collection did not contain one. Documentation exists confirming that at least one each of the various denominations current in 1870 was struck at the San Francisco Mint that year for placement in the cornerstone of the new mint building under construction in that city. While most denominations of 1870-S coinage exist in sufficient numbers to be collectable, the silver dollar is a major rarity, while the half dime and three-dollar piece each remain unique. No example has yet surfaced of the quarter dollar.

Coinfest is the largest coin show in the New York metropolitan area.  A regional event bringing together more than 2,500 dealers and collectors at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. Two full days of doing business, networking, press conferences, educational seminars and lectures, makes this show one of the largest and certainly busiest shows you've ever seen and not to be missed!  Additional information about Coinfest is available on the website www.thecoinfest.com

1870-S HALF DIME

PCGS No: 4397



Mintage:

Circulation strikes: 1

Proofs: 0

Designer: Obverse by Thomas Sully, executed by Christian Gobrecht, modified by Robert Ball Hughes, modified by James B. Longacre; Reverse by James B. Longacre

Diameter: ±15.9 millimeters

Metal content:

Silver - 90%

Other - 10%

Weight: ±19 grains (±1.2 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: "S" (for San Francisco) below DIME on the reverse