08/18/2026
A coin with an epic pedigree: Parmelee - Chapman - Farouk
Parmelee (1827-1905) assembled much of his landmark collection of U.S. coins by purchasing other major collections, essentially intact. He kept what improved his collection and disposed of the duplicates. The sale of his collection provided deluxe catalogs that included plate images of many of the coins. This was exceptionally well illustrated for the era. The catalog referred to it as the "Finest Existing Collection of American Coins."
The "Chapman Collection" is a famous collection, assembled by the Chapman brothers. This collection included the famous Dexter 1804 Dollar. In fact, this is the same Chapman as referenced in the 1921 "Chapman" Morgan Dollars. These Morgans were struck by the Mint and sold to Henry Chapman, likely to help collectors complete their Morgan Dollar proof sets. Proof coins were not being struck at this time, which is what made these coins special. As you may guess, Chapman had many connections at the U.S. Mint.
Farouk (1920-1965) was the former King of Egypt and a collector of many opulent items. Farouk was once the owner of the only 1933 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle permitted for private ownership. However, he acquired the coin in the 1940's, decades before the U.S. government authorized private ownership of it. Farouk was forced into exile in 1952 after Egypt's Free Officers overthrew his regime. His collection was subsequently seized by the Egyptian government, with this 1827 Half Eagle among them, and eventually sold through Sotheby's.
This piece is graded CAC MS62+
•
•
•
