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1838 50C MS65 NGC. While the coming of steam power to 1838[50C] MS65 NGC.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1838 50C MS65 NGC. While the coming of steam power to 1838[50C] MS65 NGC.
<B>1838<50C> MS65 NGC.</B></I> While the coming of steam power to the Philadelphia mint doubtless explains the introduction of Christian Gobrecht's first Reeded Edge Half Dollar in 1836, numismatists are at a loss to explain why the designer changed the reverse of his coin in 1838. Breen (1988) speculates that the denomination was changed from 50 CENTS to HALF DOL for uniformity with the Quarter and Silver Dollar. The Philadelphia Mint produced 3.5 million Halves in 1838, the highest total for any issue of this brief two-year type. We readily offer circulated examples for type collectors, and even MS64 representatives turn up with some regularity, but this is the first MS65 specimen that we have offered in at least three years. A lovely coin in all regards, the surfaces are toned in dove-gray shades over which dappled reddish-orange accents have gathered at the outer areas. Both sides are fully frosted with noteworthy sharpness of strike in the centers and surfaces that are free of outwardly distracting handling marks. The epitome of a condition rarity, the 1838 has an NGC population of only 17 coins in MS65 (compared to 48 examples in MS64), and there are just six pieces finer (4/02).<BR><I>From The Albert E. Willis Collection.</B></I>