1839 50C NO DRAPERY

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Beautiful Toned 1839 No Drapery Half Dollar, A Splendid Near-Gem Representative

1839 50C No Drapery MS 64 PCGS. We last offered a near-Gem 1839 No Drapery half dollar (an NGC certified specimen) as lot 7058 in our 1999 Chicago ANA Sale. That coin was, at the time, the most impressive 1839 No Drapery half dollar that this cataloger had ever seen. That was until we received this lovely example on consignment. Whereas the Chicago specimen was essentially brilliant, the present coin is richly toned in lavender-gray, electric-blue, and orange-russet shades. The surfaces display a smooth, frosty texture that is indicative of the assigned grade. Well struck on the obverse, the reverse is boldly defined everywhere except over the eagle's left (facing) leg feathers. This example shares the MS 64 grade level with only seven other coins at NGC and PCGS, and it is bettered by a lone MS 65 PCGS specimen (7/00).
A first-year issue and an important one-year type, the 1839 No Drapery is the only coin in this series that displays Christian Gobrecht's original design for the Seated Liberty half dollar. The lack of drapery folds at Liberty's shoulder, as well as small letters around the reverse periphery, allowed for considerable open field space on both sides. Although a refreshing feature from an aesthetic standpoint, this airy design was a magnet for abrasions. It is little wonder, therefore, that pristine Mint State survivors are seldom offered on today's market.
From the Bob Bisanz U.S. Type Set.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24GK, PCGS# 6230, GSID# 6251)

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 13.36 grams
ASW: 0.38658oz
Mintage: 1,972,400

View Certification Details from PCGS