1838-O H10C MS(PCGS#4314)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

4136

Grade

AU53

Price

5,520

Lot Description

This is a charming piece dressed in richly original olive-gray patina. Both sides are sharply struck, although the rusted state of the obverse has obscured much of the detail within the lower part of Liberty's portrait. Smooth in hand with a soft satin texture. A historically and numismatically significant issue, the 1838-O is the premier New Orleans Mint half dime and the only mintmarked issue of the Liberty Seated, No Stars half dime type. Far rarer than the 1837 No Stars in all grades, both due to a more limited mintage of 70,000 pieces and a higher rate of attrition suffered through circulation, AU examples are ranked Rarity-6 by Al Blythe in the 1992 reference <em>The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dimes</em>.