1858-O Liberty Seated Half Dime. V-Obverse 1 / Reverse 3. MS-65 (NGC).A thoroughly appealing coin, richly original toning blends with frosty mint luster on both sides. Iridescent in quality, the patina includes shades of steel-gray, copper-apricot, antique gold and powder blue. Fully struck with equally outstanding surface preservation and eye appeal. With the exception of 1855 and 1859, half dime coinage at the New Orleans Mint exceeded 1 million coins every year from 1853 through the eve of the Civil War in 1860. At 1,660,000 coins produced, the 1858-O is among the more readily obtainable issues in this group, circulated examples abundant and Mint State coins obtainable with relative ease in grades trough MS-64. Gems such as this are scarce from a condition standpoint, however, and are eagerly sought by discerning numismatists.<p>This interesting example is from a die combination that is unlisted in Valentines half dime reference, although both the obverse and reverse are described therein. The obverse is that of V-1 with the 8 in the date lower than the other digits and, on the present example, faint cracks through stars 6 and 7, from Libertys head to star 8, and through stars 10 to 12. The reverse is that of V-3, readily attributable by the pronounced crack from the lower right border through the letters CA in AMERICA, the wreath, right branch stem, right ribbon end, and back to the border at 5:30. Additional cracks extend from the border through the letter I in AMERICA, and also through the left side of the letter E in UNITED.PCGS# 4369. NGC ID: 233V.NGC Census: 26; 4 finer (MS-67 finest).From the Henry Collection of Liberty Seated Half Dimes.
