1859-O 50C MS(PCGS#6297)

The August 2010 Boston Rarities Sale

Auctioneer

Bowers & Merena

Lot Number

555

Grade

MS64

Price

1,495

Lot Description

1859-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar. WB-103. Misplaced Date. MS-64 (NGC). A very rare die marriage in Mint State (Wiley and Bugert, 1993, assign a Rarity-7+ rating), the 1859-O WB-103 exhibits an errant 9 protruding from the base of Liberty's rock above the primary digit 9 in the date. This issue as a whole is scarce-to-rare in the finer Mint State grades, and it is not often that we bring a near-Gem to auction. Warm olive-silver patina to both sides, light-gold undertones come into view as the surfaces dip into a light. The strike is generally bold by New Orleans Mint standards, and there is appreciable vibrancy to satiny luster.