23442

1839 50C Small Letters--Improperly Cleaned--NCS. AU De 1839[50C] Small Letters--Improperly Cleaned--

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1839 50C Small Letters--Improperly Cleaned--NCS. AU De 1839[50C] Small Letters--Improperly Cleaned--
<B>1839<50C> Small Letters--Improperly Cleaned--NCS. AU Details.</B></I> JR-1, R.7. The talons curve are tightly curved, and lines 2 and 3 of stripe 1 extend to the 3rd crossbar, others to the 2nd. In his <I>Variety Identification Manual for U.S. Reeded Edge Half Dollars,</B></I> Reiver indicates that "this may be the same reverse die used on Pattern Judd 95." Judd 95 is the famous backwards Liberty, with a crowned head of Liberty facing to the right. Judging from illustrations, the reverse appears to be either the same die, or at least a die from the same hub. Examination of both issues, side-by-side, would probably be necessary to make an exact determination. This specimen displays semi-bright bluish-gray surfaces that are finely hairlined. A decent coin despite the cleaning.<BR> This is an exceptional rarity among the Reeded Edge half dollars, and is one of few varieties listed individually in Walter Breen's <I>Complete Encyclopedia.</B></I> It is easily identified, not only for the different sized letters, but also there relative position, distant from the border. While there may be more examples known today in 2006, at the time his reference was published, Breen only knew of two or three examples. At the time, he specifically discussed three coins:<BR> 1. First Coinvestor's, Inc.; Julian Leidman. EF. The Discovery Coin.<BR> 2. Julian Leidman; Stanley Scott: 387; Harte: 2650; 1981 GENA: 1133; Kagin's 333rd Sale: 1686. VF, reverse rim dent.<BR> 3. Delaware private collection. EF. This is the specimen being offered here.<BR> Walter Breen gave the credit for this discovery to Maurice Rosen, circa September 1972, although he suggested that Beistle may have seen the variety nearly half a century earlier. Currently, Steve Herrman has suggested that perhaps as many as five or six examples are known, but he has not further auction listings for any examples since the 1984 Kagin's sale.<BR> Around 1980, Julian Leidman discovered the Reiver Collection specimen among coins that Jules already owned. It was this discovery that piqued Jules' interest in the Reeded Edge half dollar series, leading to the eventual completion of his <I>Variety Identification Manual</B></I> for the series. Envelope Included.