1868-S H10C MS(PCGS#4393)

August 2020 U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2577

Grade

MS65

Price

1,680

Lot Description

1868-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. V-1B. MS-65 (PCGS). CAC. Softly frosted surfaces are minimally toned in iridescent gold on the reverse, the obverse essentially brilliant. Well struck despite the advanced die state (see below), all major design elements are sharply to fully defined. Smooth in hand and fully deserving of the coveted CAC designation at the MS-65 level. From a mintage of 280,000 pieces, the typical survivor of which is well worn, if not also impaired from heavy commercial use. Here, then, is a remarkable condition rarity in an 1868-S half dime that would serve as a highlight in the finest collection of Liberty Seated coinage. The obverse die of this variety exhibits a short, sharp die scratch from the upper right corner of the letter E in UNITED, the present example also with light clash marks at Liberty's left shoulder and elbow. The reverse is in a middle to late die state with myriad cracks in the mintmark area, at the bows of the ribbon, and within and around the lower right portion of the wreath. In the latest state from these dies (V-1C), additional cracks would extend vertically up through the left and right halves of the wreath. Provenance: From the Henry Collection of Liberty Seated Half Dimes. PCGS Population: 11; 5 finer (MS-66+ finest). PCGS# 4393. NGC ID: 234P. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.