1839 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Reeded Edge. HALF DOL. GR-3. Rarity-5+.

1839 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Reeded Edge. HALF DOL. GR-3. Rarity-5+. Large Letters. AU-53 (NGC). Slate-gray surfaces display varying shades of blue toning that cling to the devices, while pale gold and rose iridescence intermingle in the fields on both sides. This is a very scarce variety that Graham encourages his readers to "pick up whenever you see one and look to upgrade it if you come across a better one later." Indeed, we have offered just two prior examples, while Heritage has sold only one attributed example. The diagnostic die cracks are extremely thin and require good magnification to verify. On the obverse, one extends along the base of the date. On the reverse, cracks are present along the tops of UNITED and portions of STATES, including ST and TE. Easier to see are die lines in the dentils below the date. The strike is suitably bold, and while scattered marks are consistent with the assigned grade, none are individually worthy of mention. Graham assigned the variety a Rarity-5+ rating in 2012, while Koenings assigned it Rarity-4+ in 2024. Jim Koenings Commentary: My Koenings Newsletter #64 (12-15-24) ranks this die marriage R-4+. Most collectors are unable to attribute it without Graham's book. High-grade specimens are in very limited supply. Provenance: From the Jim Koenings Collection. PCGS# 6179. NGC ID: 24G6. Click here for certification details from NGC.

Estimate:£0.75

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