1840-(O) Liberty Seated Half Dollar. WB-4. Rarity-3. Medium Letters (a.k.a. Reverse of 1838). Date. EF-45 (PCGS). CAC.An attractively original example, both sides are richly toned in a bold blend of deep rose and dove gray patina. Sharply struck over most design elements with a smooth and inviting appearance. Although not a rare variety in an absolute sense, the 1840 Medium Letters half dollar is always in demand among specialists in Liberty Seated coinage. Through die linkage with two obverse dies of the 1840-O issue, Liberty Seated half dollar experts Randy Wiley and Bill Bugert concluded that the 1840 Medium Letters half dollars were actually struck at the New Orleans Mint using a leftover, yet unused reverse die of the 1839-O Capped Bust issue. Since the O appears on the obverse of the outgoing design and the reverse of the incoming type, this Liberty Seated issue does not display the mintmark on either side. An intriguing variety at a highly desirable level of preservation.From the E. Horatio Morgan Collection.
