1839-O 50C GR-1, R.1, MS66 PCGS. CAC....

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1839-O Reeded Edge Half, Toned MS66
GR-1, Very Late Die State
High Condition Census Example

1839-O 50C GR-1, R.1, MS66 PCGS. CAC. Ex: O'Neal. Dick Graham's Registry of Die Varieties of Reeded Edge Half Dollars 1836-1839 is an essential reference for collectors of Reeded Edge half dollars. Production spanned a mere four years before the Capped Bust motif was retired in favor of the Seated Liberty design. Yet during those four years, 56 different die varieties exist, and few U.S. series are as challenging to attribute as the Reeded Edge half dollars. Thankfully, the 1839-O is one of the easier issues to identify the die pair. Graham writes:

"There are currently 5 known varieties for the New Orleans half dollars of 1839 utilizing three obverse and three reverse dies. The most common variety for the year is the GR-1, which uses the same reverse die that was used on the 1838-O half dollar, and was most likely the first variety struck for 1839 once commercial production commenced. The remaining four varieties are scarce to extremely scarce, and all 1839-O half dollars are going to be a challenge to find in nice eye appealing, original condition regardless of the grade."

This is an extraordinary example of the GR-1 die marriage, which accounts for about 95% of all 1839-O examples encountered from a 178,976-piece mintage. The coin was struck shortly before the reverse die fell apart. The obverse die is also extensively cracked. The "very late die state" seen on the reverse shows myriad signs of die failure, including a late-arriving die crack from the right base of A in STATES through the eagle's beak. Die lumps emerge from several other cracks. Despite the late die state, the strike on this remarkable Premium Gem Uncirculated coin is sharp throughout both sides. Only minor weakness exists at the first S of STATES and at star 1 above Liberty's drapery. Rich shades of lavender, violet, and deep purple intermix among sun-gold and orange toning for outstanding eye appeal, which is often lacking among even high-grade Reeded Edge halves. PCGS reports just one numerically finer example. Population: 1 in 66, 1 finer (11/22).
The Jim O'Neal Collection of U.S. Half Dollar Types.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 531106, Base PCGS# 6181)

Weight: 13.36 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

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