1838-O half dime

toyonakataro

From a dealer's inventory. Seller says it's V-1 from non rusted die, but looks like V-2 to me...am I missing something?
It's graded MS64 by NGC

mrdq

VERY hard to tell from that picture as many of the observations in Valentine are not clearly visible BUT

The mint mark looks to be rotated a bit (V2) but it's hard to tell with the coins orientation.

Is that a die crack from the head to the rim? (V1) but Valentine says die cracks from head to rim AND shoulder to rim

The date looks like it's running "uphill" (V2)

I'm guessing V2 also. If there's a return policy go for it and measure the height of the mint mark and do some hands on diagnostics.

sinin1

It looks much nicer than any I have ever seen - I can't tell, is there rub on the leg dropping it to AU?

toyonakataro

Along with mrdq's comment, I also got a PM from a member that the coin is from a rusted die, so it's V-2.
I was actually looking for V-1, but I can't afford this one even if it's V-1....asking price is over $15K.
I'm not saying it's pricey, just expensive for me.
I think 1838-O is very interesting date....it has no star on obverse while 1838(P) have stars.
If I remember correctly, die for 1838-O was prepared in 1837 and that's why it has no star on obverse, but I may be wrong(I don't have my book in my hand now)
While my book(complete guide to seated liberty half dimes) says there's no V-2 found in mint state, this coin is the second 1838-O I have seen in mint state and the one I saw before was also V-2, I believe.
The book is not up-to-date as many people say and I'm wishing an expert to write/publish new book as soon as possible.

matteproof

Hi toyo. What a great coin. The image of the obverse is slightly tilted making it difficult to observe the precise placement of the date. As a result, it's hard to tell for a certainty from the image whether it's a V1 or V2. Generally, V2 will have a date that is sort of "low." V2 will "slant" upward toward the right. V1 has a more "level" date (though distinguishing this for a certainty requires live inspection as images alone are insufficient for making accurate determinations).

The folks at Northeast have always impressed me as knowing their stuff. Does their description says it's a V1? The 1838-O no stars half dime in UNC is a great rarity.

matteproof

toyonakataro

matteproof
Thank you for those close up pics.
I wanted to send you PM, but can you open your PM?