Seated Half Dollar Type (Type 2, No Motto)- Which would you choose to keep?

oih82w8

I have a guideline to keep only one of each major type in my collection and am having a hard time trying to decide which of these two Seated Liberty Half Dollars to keep for my U.S. Type Set and would like to ask the forum members for their opinion. The 1840 is a good looking coin and has a fairly rare variety, FS-401, with two attributed through PCGS. The 1841-O has been in my corral for a couple of years. My intention was flipping the 1840, but finding the right buyer has been a struggle. The 1841-O would probably not garner much for the variety, WB-101, but more as a common.

1840 Reverse of 1839 50C Obv. Die Crack FS-401 AU55 (not yet submitted to CAC)

1841-O 50C WB-101 Large Mint Mark XF45 CAC

ldhair

1840 Reverse of 1839 50C Obv. Die Crack FS-401 AU55

I went with the 1840 but I would keep both.

291fifth

1841-O 50C WB-101 Large Mint Mark XF45 CAC

The strike weakness in the 1840 coin was a major negative for me. The 1841 isn't perfect but the strike is better and I like the color.

amwldcoin

1841-O 50C WB-101 Large Mint Mark XF45 CAC

I'm always a sucker for that nice original look the 41-O has!

Insider2

Easy for me to say...nevertheless I feel your pain! I'd pick the 1840 without hesitation. Much more eye appeal and coins with a weak strike never bothered me at all. In fact, adds interest.

TommyType

1840 Reverse of 1839 50C Obv. Die Crack FS-401 AU55

Kind of a tough call. Better grade vs. better circulated eye appeal.

Kind of agree with ldhair....I'd find an excuse to keep them both, (which I'm good at).

divecchia

1840 Reverse of 1839 50C Obv. Die Crack FS-401 AU55

1840 Reverse of 1839 50C Obv. Die Crack FS-401 AU55 for me also. The eye appeal for me is better even though it looks to have a weaker strike.

Donato

TPRC

1840 Reverse of 1839 50C Obv. Die Crack FS-401 AU55

Not even close for me. the 1840. Nice eye appeal.

ricko

1841-O 50C WB-101 Large Mint Mark XF45 CAC

I prefer the '41.... just like the detail more... Cheers, RickO

oih82w8

I am leaning towards selling the 1840 50C, the 41-O seems to have a better tone in contrast with my other seated series half dollars and most of my Seated coinage. And the 1840 will bring more money onto the table towards my Seated dollar.

I just need to find the right buyer, being a member of Liberty Seated Collectors Club, the LSCC Journal may target the specialized audience.

Thank you for the replies!

BillJones

1840 Reverse of 1839 50C Obv. Die Crack FS-401 AU55

The 1840-P is a better looking type coin in my opinion.

DennisH

1840 Reverse of 1839 50C Obv. Die Crack FS-401 AU55

1840

BryceM

Hmmmm. I don't love the 1840 as the strike detail and overall look just doesn't have much character. As many others have said, the 41-O is better, but the big rim bump and obverse right field are distracting.

Have you considered selling both, pooling your resources and finding one you like better?

oih82w8

@BryceM said:

...Have you considered selling both, pooling your resources and finding one you like better?

I, like so many other collectors, are always on the lookout for upgrades.

Elmhurst

Probably 1840, but they both look sandblasted...can you re-do the pictures?