Lot 991
1840 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Medium letters. EF-45. A curious use of the old style reverse die, the Guide Book states that these medium letter coins were actually struck in New Orleans from a leftover 1838-39 die without the mintmark. This makes some sense as during 1838-39 New Orleans half dollars were struck with an obverse mintmark, hence the reverse die very well could have stayed in New Orleans and been pressed into service while waiting a new die shipment from Philadelphia. Breen makes no mention of this assertion of being coined in New Orleans. Breen does say that this is very rare indeed, and the reverse does show several die cracks. Frosty luster remains, and the coin is very well struck.
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| Realized $1,093 |
