1840 Liberty Seated Half Dime. No Drapery. MS-67 (PCGS). CAC. This lovely Superb Gem is toned in a blend of vivid reddish-gold, pale pink, powder blue and pale olive iridescence. Both sides are fully struck with exceptionally smooth surfaces for both the type and issue. Outstanding!Christian Gobrechts interpretation of the Titian Peale/Thomas Sully Liberty Seated design was first used for the half dime in 1837, but would see modification through its life. The first change came in 1838 when 13 stars were added to the obverse. Then in 1840 the obverse was once again modified, this time by Robert Ball Hughes who most notably added an additional fold to Libertys gown at her left elbow, redesigned the rock upon which she is seated, and adjusted the shield to be oriented straight up and down. Just how successful these changes are in terms of aesthetics may be disputed, but in any case they became standard going forward.Of all the half dimes struck in 1840, 1,034,000 circulation strikes bear the original No Drapery design, three times as many as Hughes modified obverse with drapery. This issue is notable for the die cracks of varying intensity that are often present, although only a few are seen around the reverse periphery on the coin offered here. The 1840 No Drapery half dime is available in all circulated grades, and is not a great challenge, even in Choice Mint State. At and above the Gem level, however, this issue is progressively more difficult to locate and Superb Gems, as here, are exceedingly rare. The remarkable eye appeal and provenance of the Pogue specimen enhances its appeal and serves to highlight many of the fine nuances of the early Liberty Seated design. A jewel of a coin that is sure to please. From the D. Brent Pogue Collection. Earlier from our Baltimore Auction of March 2011, lot 1250.
