1856-N Octagonal 50 Cents. BG-310. Rarity-6. Liberty Head. MS-61 (PCGS). Semi-reflective surfaces are dressed in warm, vivid olive-gold color with wisps of iridescent orange-apricot evident as the coin dips into a light. Sharply struck in all but a few isolated areas. This variety features the makers initial N, for Antoine Louis Nouizillet, prominently at the lower reverse border. Examples are scarce in numismatic circles, this despite the fact that the variety was recognized as least as early as 1932, in which year Ed M. Lee had included one in his collection. BG Die State II, with only a single reverse crack from the lower border between the initial N and the adjacent period. A second crack would develop at 3 oclock (Die State III), leading to the rapid retirement of this reverse die and undoubtedly explaining the scarcity of BG-310 today. Conversely, the obverse die was used for all three issues from BG-309 through 311. From the Oregon Collection.
