Half dimes: 1845, 1846, and 1847

rhedden

Here are three more half dimes from my set- 1845, 1846 (key date), and 1847. The 1845 is a nice, original coin that grades somewhere in the XF-AU range. The 1846 is a Fine+ for detail, but has a short scratch, as you can see. It's still a very tough coin to locate. The 1847 is an Unc. with somewhat prooflike characteristics. All of these were from the old collection I bought last year. Hope you all like them.

tmot99

Once again, nice stuff. Wish I didn't sound like a broken record, but with the stuff you keep posting, its hard not to. I love the 47.

ziggy29

Great stuff. As a collector of higher grade circulated seated dimes myself, I love the '45.

PTVETTER

I don't collect half dimes but you have had some nice ones that is for sure
I tried to get one in the auction you had but lost out
Hope you did well on ebay

Numismanic

Very nice, I especially like the 1847.

mgoodm3

nice half-dimes

tjkillian

Wow, you do have an 1846, very cool!

I, also, really like that 1847, great colors.

Keep them coming, now I want to see the mid-'60's

Tom

rhedden

I want to see the mid-'60's


Working on it.

BECOKA

Good stuff. The 1847 has some great eye appeal.

MrHalfDime

The quality of your half dimes continues, through some very interesting dates. Of course, the 1846 captures most peoples’ interest for this period, as it is one of the key dates to the series, and a well recognized and legitimate rarity, but the other dates should not be overlooked.

The date 1845 does not present any great rarities in the Liberty Seated half dime series, but it does provide us with some interesting varieties, such as the V5 1845/1845 Repunched Date. The V5 Repunched Date has been incorrectly called an “1845/3” Overdate in the past, but close scrutiny of the underdigit, while resembling some form of a 3 to some observers, reveals that it was simply a 5 which has been severely lapped to efface it from the working die. All four digits of the date can be seen to the left of the final digits, suggesting possibly the earliest use of a four digit logotype, or gang punch. The 1845/1845 is an interesting and slightly scarce variety.

Another major ‘variety’ for the 1845 date was discovered by Bill Fivaz, of “Cherrypickers Guide” fame, and introduced in a Gobrecht Journal article a few years ago. It is a spectacular example of a MisPlaced Date (MPD), with four (4) complete sets of date numerals in the exergue and onto the devices. To my knowledge, there is but one specimen of this dramatic misplaced date, even though it is an ‘eye-ball’ variety. Bill sent the discovery coin to me for study, which is a brilliant white mint state example, and it is unmistakably an MPD. It is curious why no other specimen has ever surfaced for this variety. When I wrote the chapter for Liberty Seated half dimes for Kevin Flynn’s book on misplaced dates, the 1845 half dime MPD had not yet been discovered, so it was not included. That is unfortunate, as it is perhaps the only legitimate MPD in the Liberty Seated half dime series.

Your coin appears to be an example of the V6, distinguished by heavy, broad, low numerals 184, and a thinner 5 in the date. Other shield line and numeral-to-dentil relationships tend to confirm this attribution. It is a common variety.

Any 1846 half dime is a significant coin, and a relatively problem free example, even in F-12 grade, is definitely a keeper. The 1846 half dime business strikes apparently were all struck using one die pair, which is different from the even rarer proof issue of the same date. For the business strikes, the point of the shield is over the RIGHT side of the upright of the 1 in the date; for the proof issues, the shield point is over the LEFT side of the upright of the 1. Your coin is decidedly a business strike. I have a nice AU-50 example of this date, which I would not want to have to purchase at today’s prices.

1847 is another date which is often ignored, as it does not present collectors with any truly interesting or spectacular varieties, but it can be fun to try to locate examples of all six (6) known die marriages. The V1 has a significantly repunched date, most visible in the numerals 1 and 8 of the date, with the errant numerals showing below the final digits.

Another, as yet unnumbered variety for 1847 exhibits a severely shattered reverse die in late die states. It will be assigned a new number in my pending book on the series.

Your coin appears to be a nice example of the V4, which is by far the most common die marriage for the date. I presently have nine (9) examples of this die marriage, attesting to its relative availability. The nicest one I own (MS-63) some members may remember seeing, as LeeG’s former sigline coin, with spectacular toning and amazing luster.

Dennis88

Me likes the '47!!!

Dennis

rhedden

It is too bad that I don't have any more 1845 coins to search for the MPD. That is fascinating that there is only one specimen known, and it happens to be an Unc. Perhaps the coins from that particular die marriage were melted down without entering circulation, with one escapee?

Conder101

The 47 is very attractive, but it is the 1846 that I am envious of. I don't have one of those yet. I still need the 46, 66, and 67 to complete my set.

rhedden

The 1846 coins have all but disappeared from the market, and the "specialist" dealers who have a few in stock are now asking up to $1,000 for an F-12 coin. That is substantially above "price guide" levels.