“Daily labor demands and receives one half dollar per day.” — The American Farmer, September 28, 1827 Delicate soft pastel tones of violet, gold, and pale blue-green blend over frosty and highly lustrous surfaces. The cartwheel luster thoroughly covers both sides, enlivening the attractive subtle toning highlights. Central elements are well struck on both sides, even as each star lacks its center and the extreme peripheries have become a bit crudely defined, with several stars and some reverse elements drawn to the fatigued rim. The fields are free of distractions, and only a couple minor specks and some trivial lines are seen on Liberty’s portrait. Very subtle signs of die clashing are still visible in the obverse fields, whose fatigued texture was likely caused by lapping after the die clash. More obvious remnants from the clash are visible on the reverse beneath UN of UNUM and below the wing at left. The free population of the United States grew nearly 60% over the course of the 1820s. Immigrants arrived from all over the world, taking advantage of inexpensive agricultural land, growth in manufacturing in cities, and new infrastructure that made movement into the American interior easier than ever before. Books and pamphlets served as the primary means of marketing the United States to potential immigrants abroad, but American newspaper editors found that the circular letters and pamphlet excerpts made good copy for their readership as well. In 1827, “a Gentleman in Switzerland” wrote to William P. Duval, then governor of Florida Territory, asking a series of questions about his state. Duval asked a colleague, Judge David B. Macomb, to answer the questions, and Macomb’s lengthy responses made the rounds of newspapers in the United States and abroad. Macomb bragged about the agricultural potential of “the Middle District of Florida,” comparing the excellence of the soil to the Mid-Atlantic States but suggesting that “all kinds of obnoxious weeds” are “more easily kept under than in Alabama or Georgia.” His claims were expansive and mostly unverifiable, then or now, but Macomb’s commentary on economics is interesting. He explained that wages in Florida were particularly high, with common laborers earning a half dollar per day, enough that “an industrious and sober laborer can support a wife and four or five children from his daily earnings with ease and comfort.” Day after day, a coin like this one could be earned in the sun and enjoyed in the shade. With its impressive luster and desirable tone, this gem offers a particularly fine combination of aesthetic appeals. Nearly a decade after its last auction appearance, it remains atop Stephen Herrman’s list of Overton-118s, standing as the only coin on his census graded MS-65 or finer by PCGS. Over that interval, only a single MS-64 (PCGS) has been offered, sold in February 2008. Likely the finest survivor of this die variety, this also ranks near the top of all PCGS-certified 1827 Square Base 2 half dollars, a designation that includes 45 different die combinations. Five Square Base 2 coins have been graded MS-66 (PCGS), one of which is included in the present sale, exceeded by just a single MS-67. PCGS# 39715. NGC ID: 24FN.
