1839 50C Drapery MS(PCGS#6232)

November 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

8230

Grade

MS62

Price

4,800

Lot Description

Here is a very scarce Mint State example for this overlooked issue from the early Liberty Seated half dollar series. Both sides are ringed in vivid purple, lilac and russet iridescence. The centers on both sides are essentially brilliant, and satiny mint luster is smooth and lively throughout. Razor sharp to full striking detail is also notable.<p><p>This is the first issue of the Drapery Liberty Seated half dollar, featuring the addition of extra folds of drapery to the gown at Liberty's left elbow. This work was done by Christian Gobrecht, who seems to have added the extra folds directly to the master die, from which a new master hub was raised. In order to balance the new design, Gobrecht modified the master hub by removing portions of the rock upon which Liberty is seated, both below the foot and, in particular, in the area closest to star 1. So modified, the master hub was used to raise another, final, master die for the new With Drapery half dollar type.<p><p>Although somewhat overshadowed by the 1839 No Drapery because of that issue's status as a one year type, the 1839 Drapery is nearly on par as a condition rarity. Indeed, Randy Wiley and Bill Bugert (<em>The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dollars, 1993</em>) rank Mint State survivors of these two issues as Rarity-6- and Rarity-5+, respectively. For the first year type collector or Liberty Seated half dollar specialist, this is an important bidding opportunity, as once sold it may be many years before an example of comparable quality returns to the market.