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Lot 714
1846 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. 6 over horizontal 6 (error). NGC graded MS-65. This important die variety was discovered many years ago and has been widely published. Over the span of decades, only a few have turned up in Mint State, perhaps a half dozen. Of those, only a single coin, this coin, has been graded MS-65. There are none graded higher. NGC has graded a single coin in MS-62, 63 and 64 below. PCGS has graded 2 coins as high as MS-62, and none higher. Toned with deep blues and fiery reds in the fields, the strike is bold and complete. The recut date feature is sharp, and the "lazy 6" is plain to the unaided eye. As with most seen, there are two small rim breaks below the date, a faint crack connecting the stars on the left, and on the reverse cracks through UNIT and HALF to the rims above.
How did this "error" occur. Many have speculated that the mispunchings began soon after Gobrecht died in 1844. Mint officials did not want to replace him, and would instead work with friendly outsiders like Charles Cushing Wright, when some engraving need arose. With modern automation, the process of making dies was fairly simple, and only the date punches needed to be done by hand. The Philadelphia Mint was dominated by a group of old line cronies, the Peale's, Eckfeldts, Pattersons and DuBois families were lord and masters of the institution. Nevertheless, James Barton Longacre used his political influence to buy his way into the Mint via then Senator John C. Calhoun, who gave him the Mint engravership. This appointment rocked the boat, and during this turmoil many overdates, mispunched dates and the like were produced. Perhaps these were by Longacre himself, or by the engraving department to use as excuses to oust Longacre. The feud continued, and Longacre held on using his considerable political influence. Eventually Longacre outlived most of his adversaries, and certainly provided many colorful stories and wonderful coins for today's numismatists to treasure.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
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| Realized $14,950 |
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