1836 50C Lettered Edge, O-109, R.7 as a proof, PR65+ PCGS....

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1836 Capped Bust Half Dollar, PR65+
Last Year of the Lettered Edge Design
Very Rare O-109 Proof

1836 50C Lettered Edge, O-109, R.7 as a proof, PR65+ PCGS. The year 1836 was a time of unprecedented change at the Philadelphia Mint. Christian Gobrecht produced his beautiful silver dollars, forecasting the return of silver dollar coinage on a large scale and introducing the Seated Liberty obverse design that would dominate U.S. silver coinage until the 1890s. The introduction of steam power made coinage operations much more efficient, vastly increasing output and ensuring uniform quality in the larger production runs. Close collar technology, which had been used on smaller denominations beginning in 1828, finally replaced the open collar used on half dollar coinage partway through the year, making the Lettered Edge motif impractical and introducing the Reeded Edge design in its place.

Despite the availability of steam-powered coin presses, proofs, or master coins, continued to be struck on the medal press, a man-powered screw press, and a small number of proof Lettered Edge half dollars was produced before the Reeded Edge design was initiated. Unfortunately, proof mintages were not recorded at the time, but the number of coins produced was certainly small. These proofs were struck at different times throughout the year, for different purposes, using whichever dies were available. As a result, we know of Lettered Edge proofs struck from four different die combinations in 1836, O-101, O-108, O-109, and O-116. PCGS has certified a total of 10 Lettered Edge proofs and NGC has graded eight, including all die varieties (11/15).

The present coin shows an extra point on star 7, identifying the O-109 die combination. We believe only four or five proof examples of the O-109 variety have survived, based on a survey of auction records going back more than two decades. This coin offers sharply detailed design elements in most areas, with just a touch of flatness on a few stars. The well-preserved surfaces are blanketed in vivid shades of cobalt-blue and golden-brown toning and the fields are deeply mirrored, under the patina. Eye appeal is terrific. Population for the variety: 1 in 65 (1 in 65+), 1 finer (11/15).

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 147881, Base PCGS# 6221, Greysheet# 226427)

Weight: 13.48 grams

Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS