1848/48 Liberty Seated Half Dime. Medium Date. V-7, FS-302. Repunched Date. MS-65 (NGC).Conditionally rare as a Gem Mint State survivor of this underrated Philadelphia Mint issue, the present example is of further significance as tied for CC#1 for the intriguing FS-302 RPD variety. Both sides are beautifully toned in silver-rose and steel-blue iridescence that blends nicely with softly frosted luster. Sharply to fully struck overall with expectably smooth surfaces for the assigned grade. The spike protruding from the upper left side of the final digit in the 8 has led some numismatists to speculate that this variety is a "triple overdate" 1848/7/6. Fivaz and Stanton are more conservative and state that, "Further study may prove this to be a normal RPD," which is how both PCGS and NGC classify this variety. Writing in the 2014 book <em>The Authoritative Reference on Liberty Seated Half Dimes</em>, however, Kevin Flynn takes the opposite view and carries this variety as an overdate (1848/6) with the attribution OVD-001. In any event it is fascinating as close inspection with a loupe reveals not only the aforementioned spike on the final 8, but additional repunching to that digit as well as triple punching to the 4. A heavy vertical die file mark that joins the right side of the rock to the lower border is a further diagnostic of the FS-302 attribution. Both sides are heavily clashed, the obverse in the field around Libertys portrait and the reverse around the letters F in HALF, ME in DIME and S OF in the legend. Tied for finest certified for the variety, and sure to see spirited bidding among Liberty Seated half dime variety enthusiasts.PCGS# 145431. NGC ID: 233A.Combined PCGS and NGC Population (FS-302 attribution only): 3; 0 finer. All of these grading events are listed at NGC, MS-63 the finest certified at PCGS.From the Henry Collection of Liberty Seated Half Dimes.
