1838-O H10C No Stars MS66+ PCGS. CAC. V-1....

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1838-O No Stars Half Dime, Brilliant MS66+
Single Finest Certified Example

1838-O H10C No Stars MS66+ PCGS. CAC. V-1. It was a transitional year for half dime production in 1838. The New Orleans Mint struck the only No Stars half dimes produced at any mint for the year -- just 70,000 pieces -- and as a result, the 1838-O half dime is the only O-Mint of the No Stars type. While the Philadelphia Mint struck 2,225,000 half dimes in 1838, all were of the new With Stars design including both Large Stars and Small Stars varieties.

This is an all-brilliant example with extraordinary mint luster. The 1838 New Orleans half dimes are often associated with satiny or lackluster surfaces and low eye appeal, yet the present coin displays exceptional bright, frosted luster. It is from the Valentine-1 variety, easily attributed by the die crack through the bottom of the mintmark and by the first 8 in the date obviously recut north.

Three die cracks appear on the obverse. One travels from the edge of the coin to Liberty's right shoulder, one from the edge toward Liberty's nose, and a small one from the edge to the top of Liberty's head. No obvious imperfections occur on the reverse, although the die seems heavily rusted. Die clashing is visible to a small extent on both sides.
This is the sole finest example at either service, followed by a single MS65 at NGC as second-finest and four examples in MS64 at PCGS, suggesting it is likely an impossible task to exceed this coin as the finest 1838-O half dime known. Population: 1 in 66 (1 in 66+), 0 finer. CAC: 1 in 66, 0 finer (6/16).
Ex: Joseph O'Connor (11/2005); The Eugene H. Gardner Collection Part II (Heritage, 10/2014 as MS66 PCGS, CAC, without the Plus designation), lot 98181.(Registry values: N1)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 232N, PCGS# 4314, Greysheet# 3802)

Weight: 1.34 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS