1844-O H10C MS(PCGS#4334)

August 2020 U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2546

Grade

XF40

Price

1,440

Lot Description

1844-O Liberty Seated Half Dime. V-2. Small O. EF-40 (PCGS). CAC. Richly original surfaces are warmly and evenly patinated in pearl gray. The surfaces are exceptionally smooth for an early date New Orleans Mint silver coin that saw modest commercial use. Apart from isolated bluntness at the lower right wreath, typical of the issue, plenty of bold to sharp striking detail remains throughout the design. The 1844-O is an elusive and conditionally challenging half dime. Much of its mintage of 220,000 pieces was absorbed by the rigors of commerce in the "Big Easy," and today's survivors are apt to be heavily circulated in grades of Fine and VF. Even EF to AU survivors merit a significant Rarity-5 rating from Al Blythe (1992). Few circulated survivors at any grade level are as attractively original and thoroughly problem free as the Henry Collection specimen. Sure to sell for a strong premium to an astute collector of Liberty Seated or New Orleans Mint coinage. Valentine-2 is the Small O variety of the 1844-O, and it is sometimes found with medallic die alignment, as here. Provenance: From the Henry Collection of Liberty Seated Half Dimes. PCGS# 4334. NGC ID: 2336. Click here for certification details from PCGS.