1849/6 Liberty Seated Half Dime. FS-301. MS-64+ (PCGS). CAC.Gorgeous satin white surfaces are fully untoned with a smooth enough appearance to evoke thoughts of a full Gem Mint State grade. Boldly to sharply struck throughout and a delight to behold. This 1849 half dime represents one of the most intriguing, yet also puzzling varieties in the entire Liberty Seated half dime series 1837 to 1873. A later state of this obverse die, close inspection with a loupe reveals repunching at the base of the digit 4 in the date, two small remnants of a 4 underdigit atop the upright of the primary 4, and a faint trace of the lower loop of the 6 underdigit at the lower right of the primary digit 9. This coin corresponds to the <em>Cherrypickers Guide</em> variety FS-301, pictured on page 10 of the 2012 edition (Volume II), and also to the plate coin on page 70 of the 1992 Blythe reference. Both of those references illustrate early die state examples with additional remnants of the underdigits to the right of the 4 and within the upper loop and at the upper right of the 9. Both references also describe this variety as 1849/8, which listing has been removed from the current <em>PCGS Population Report</em> and replaced by 1849/6. Regardless of whether this variety is more accurately described as 1849/6 or 1849/8, this is lovely Choice example that would be just right for a specialized half dime variety set.<p>Additional diagnostics of this obverse die include a sharp defect between stars 10 and 11 and faint die cracks from the border above Libertys head to star 8, and from the lower right border to the end of Libertys foot. The reverse is lightly cracked through the top of the letters ES in STATES and through the letter F in OF, as well as in a few other places around the periphery. Bold clash marks are evident within the wreath below and to the right of the letters F in HALF and ME in DIME.PCGS# 4343. NGC ID: 233D.From the Henry Collection of Liberty Seated Half Dimes.
