1834 50C Small Date, Small Letters MS(PCGS#6166)

1834 50C Small Date, Small Letters MS (PCGS#6166)

The March 2012 Baltimore Auction

Description du lot: 1834 Capped Bust Half Dollar. O-109. Rarity-1. Small Date, Small Letters. MS-67 (NGC). Tied for Condition Census #1 for the otherwise common 1834 O-109 die marriage, this important coin is one of only only two MS-67s listed in the Autumn 2011 revision to Stephen J. Herrman's Auction & Mail Bid Prices Realized for Bust Half Dollars: 1794-1839. We see in this coin an original Superb Gem with soft, satiny luster and warm, slightly mottled, silver-olive patina. What we do not see, however, are distracting or otherwise grade-limiting abrasions. Sharply struck, and very pleasing in all regards. Die diagnostics for the obverse include recutting to stars 8, 9 and 10. The O-109 marriage represents the first use of this obverse die, which went on to strike examples of the 1834 O-110 variety. The reverse die of the O-109 pairing was used only once for the 1834 dated issue, and it exhibits faint horizontal die lines (as made) between the vertical stripes of the shield and a double denticle on the rim outside the final S in the word STATES. Numismatic Reflections by Q. David Bowers Quality comes to the fore, and this piece certainly is memorable as an elegant condition rarity. It has appeal in two directions -- for a specialist and for someone desiring an ultra grade piece for a type set.