1844-O 50C Doubled Date MS64 PCGS. CAC. WB-103, Die Pair 22, R.4. FS-301....

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1844-O FS-301 Doubled Date Half, MS64
WB-103, Famous Blundered Die Variety
Finest Certified Example

1844-O 50C Doubled Date MS64 PCGS. CAC. WB-103, Die Pair 22, R.4. FS-301. For many collectors, this is the ultimate (and most desirable) misplaced date, the date punched far too high with the tops of 184 buried in the base of the rock, then punched correctly beneath with no attempt to efface the errant digits. It joins other notable misplaced dates in the mid-1840s Seated half dollar series including the 1845-O tripled date and the 1846 "6 over horizontal 6" as a trio of blundered dates so remarkable some have posited they were intentionally done. Not so, however, according to current thought, as the Mint has always provided many instances of head-scratching mispunches and engraving errors.

This example of the 1844-O doubled date is the finest-certified representative known. It is a boldly original piece, with patches of blue, russet, olive-gold, and battleship-gray toning over stark silver surfaces. Mint luster shines in and around the toned areas. A sharp strike confirms its near-Gem status, with minor weakness on a few of the stars. Liberty's head and features are bold, as are the overdated digits. A few scattered ticks and tiny marks are of little consequence.

Variety: WB-103, Die Pair 22. FS-301. R.4 as a variety in all conditions, but High R.7 in Mint State. Struck from a late state of the dies, with a faint die crack through D of UNITED into ST of STATES. Another die crack traces through ERICA of AMERICA and then to the edge, where it branches down through the arrowheads to the L of DOL.

Population Data (4/15): PCGS reports just three Mint State examples -- one each in MS61 and MS63, and the present coin in MS64. NGC lists a single Uncirculated coin, an MS61.

Heritage Commentary: When the Philadelphia Mint's R.M. Patterson wrote J.M. Kennedy at the New Orleans Mint in early November 1844 about the status of the half dollar dies, he said, "The Half Dollar dies are in progress. They have been somewhat delayed by an accident in impressing the dates, with the punches." Perhaps he was referring to one of the most spectacular repunched dates in numismatic lore, the famous blundered 1844-O half with the dramatically doubled date. If so, he issued one of the greatest understatements in numismatic history as well.

Consignor Commentary: An original, highly lustrous example that came to me from one of my favorite dealers, Jim O'Donnell. I'm greatly in his debt for the endless hours of advice and education he gave me on all the Seated series.

Provenance: Public Auction Sale (Stack's, 3/1965), lot 446; Auction '89 (Stack's, 7/1989), lot 1724; purchased from Jim O'Donnell (7/2006).

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24H2, PCGS# 6247, Greysheet# 6318)

Weight: 13.36 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS