Lot 962
1801 LM-2. NGC graded MS-61. Only 27,760 minted. This is a fascinating coin. The obverse die was used well beyond its breaking point twice! First off, the obverse die cracked heavily on the right side, just inside the stars before Liberty's face through the field. The die was removed from the press, lapped down severely to remove this crack, the design elements restored and touched up as needed, and more coins were stuck. Later the obverse cracked again, this time on the left side as seen here, with a long arcing crack from the date up to above the B in LIBERTY. This final die state is quite rare and highly desirable. A die progression of this variety is a real challenge to put together, but has been done by numismatists Jules Reiver and Ed Price, who wrote extensively about how this obverse die was reingraved and restored. Their mutual discovery of how this progresed proved that this die was indeed completely reworked, a measure undertaken only a few times in our mint's history. This coin would make a bold beginning for a specialist to study this incredible story. Needless to say, this is one of the finest 1801 half dimes in existanence and would make any collector smile with its many charms. Boldly struck on Liberty's hair and a powerful example of this condition rarity. A hint of nice gold tone. A minor streak of slag from the planchet rolling process is found on the central reverse, as struck. Pop 3; 1 finer in 63 for the variety .
Estimated Value $14,000 - 15,000.
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