Completion of Capped Bust Liberty Reeded Edge Half Dollar set from 1836 to 1839-O by die marriage

Thanks Lance for correcting the link. I replaced it now. Also thanks for posting your set photographs of one of the most stunning, colorful reeded edge halves I've ever seen. I wanted to note that Dick Graham was the first to complete the set of circulation strikes and he allowed me to obtain the two unique 1839-O GR-2 and GR-3 halves for the set. I was able to obtain the Gardner specimen of the 1838-O [Eliasberg] which I crossed from NGC PR64 to PCGS PR64 CAC. So technically, I'm up to 56 die marriages; however, I wouldn't put it past the crowd here to find another die marriage fairly soon now that I'm complete!

https://pcgs.com/cert/25631608

One mystery for the series is that PCGS records a small letters reverse 1839 GR-1 in MS63, but no one can find any sales or auction records, photographs or reports concerning this potential coin. It's likely hidden away somewhere although its possible its an early typo in the population reports. I hope to see it someday soon. My 1839 GR-1 XF45+ set piece came from the fabulous Pogue collection. Brent Pogue outbid me handily [as he often did] in 2009 in the C. Joseph Thomas sale by Heritage. The coin was sold previously out of the Charlton "Swampy" Meyers Collection by Sheridan Downey in 2008 and was then reported as the finest known.

Thanks for all the positive feedback and yes 'Specialist" a warm coconut drink sounds superb.

Not sure what to work on next....ideas welcome.

Thats very interesting Crypto. Reviewing the reverse dies used in the 1839-O strikings, there are no matches to the die cracks on the 1840 reverse of 1838 half dollar. I understand 1840 obverse 6 was used on that Liberty Seated variety and the next seated die marriage with a reverse with a small eagle and an O mint mark. This implies of course that the obverse die was being used in New Orleans. Has anyone reported which 1839 reverse die was employed in New Orleans? Several of the reverse dies used to strike 1839 Reeded Edge Capped Halves in Philadelphia were reported as prime that could have cracked later. What is the earliest die state known of the 1840 (O) medium letters?

Of course a die available in New Orleans, but not used for Capped halves, seems the most likely explanation, but most of the examples I'm seeing online have extensive cracks suggesting it was a work horse die with longetivity even with multiple severe cracks.

Would love to learn more about this from the Liberty seated experts here on the forum. Dick Graham might have some thoughts as well. His book states all the dies were defaced and one was held over to used with the Seated coinage.

Always more to learn. Certainly makes a case for more study.

As an aside we so often classify coins more by their obverse than reverse. Seems a little biased since each is only a flip of a coin from being on top. Good night all and thx for your musings.

Hi Rich, I was very happy to hear that Dick has decided to do a second printing of his fabulous book. So many people have asked how can they find a copy, so I know there is strong demand for his wonderful treatise. Thank Dick!

Not sure if this short and sweet series will gain more interest over the next ten years. What do you think? Was able to update a few coins since completing. The new 1839-O GR-4 was previously considered a proof in its last two auction appearances and was described as such by Breen. I am not aware of higher grades examples. Formerly owned by Sheridan Downey who purchased this coin as his first Capped Bust Half dollar. He was contacted by the owner to find a new home and then my cell buzzed. It's a medal turn coin with a very presentation piece like appearance. New Orleans specimen strike reeded edge halves do not look like their proof counterpart Philadelphia sisters. What do others think?