Lot 2065
1839. PCGS graded AU-55. Quite frosty with excellent detail. The surfaces are attractive and show light wear on the uppermost devices only. There are a few trivial circulation marks as expected, even in this high grade. The head of Liberty is distinctly different than that of 1840 and later, with a more sinuous curve to her truncation, which was flattened out considerably in 1840. Thus the 1839 issue should be considered a unique type for this series. Always seen with a raised rust pit on Liberty's neck (behind the neck curl) and another above the 18 on her upper chest, as the die must not have been properly greased prior to coinage. The overdate question makes no sense, and this must simply be repunching on the 9. It is obvious that the Mint would not create a new design in 1838, fail to strike any coins, then overdate that die for the initial production of the new Gobrecht design half eagle! Only 200 examples are estimated to have survived. Pop 17; 40 finer. (PCGS # 8191) .
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,300.
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| Realized $1,998 |
