Vic's Picks
H10c SEATED LIBERTY, NO DRAPERY 1838-40


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Origin/Country:
Design Description:
Item Description:
Grade: NGC AU 58
Owner: EZ_E
 
Winning Set: Vic's Picks
Date Added: 4/19/2008
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

If you can believe it, this is an upgrade from a Mark Feld coin. Of the 5 transitional coinage pieces that I bought from Hoot, this one ranks the highest in terms of eye-appeal, in my opinion. <br /><br />A $250 purchase from Mark Hooten on 4-13-08.<br /><br />********************<br />1840 HALF DIME<br />********************<br /><br />Mintage:<br />Circulation strikes: 1,344,085<br />Proofs: estimated 10<br /><br />Designer: Obverse by Thomas Sully, executed by Christian Gobrecht, modified by Robert Ball Hughes; Reverse by Christian Gobrecht<br /><br />Diameter: ±15.9 millimeters<br /><br />Metal content:<br />Silver - 90%<br />Other - 10%<br /><br />Weight: ±20.6 grains (±1.3 grams)<br /><br />Edge: Reeded<br /><br />Mintmark: None (for Philadelphia) below DIME on the reverse<br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />HOOT'S ORIGINAL COMMENTS ON THE PIECE:<br /><br /><br /> Gobrecht’s original seated Liberty rendition is maintained on the half dime through the 1840 “no drapery” subtype. This distinction is important,as I believe that this calls into question the commonly accepted dogma that there are four major “varieties” of seated half dimes, as calledout by the Red Book (Guide Book of U.S. Coins). As I see it, there are three major subtypes in the series from 1937 and 1840. (Thus, there would be at least FIVE “varieties,” sensu Yoeman and Bressett.) These include the “no stars” obverse, which dons the “no drapery” Liberty effigy (1837-1838). This rendition of Liberty is unique to Gobrecht,with a distinctly “natural” pattern of flow through the folds of Liberty’s chiton, with no “drapery” falling from the elbow of Liberty.This version of Liberty was left intact through the second subtype(1838-1840) when stars were added to the obverse fields, and not meddled with until after the “drapery” was subsequently added to the elbow of Liberty in 1840 (representing the third subtype). When the“drapery” was added in 1840 to the elbow of Liberty’s left arm by Hughes, the flow of folds in Liberty’s chiton was altered and made entirely unnatural, but this persisted until the series’ end.(Liberty’s head and face were also changed with the third subtype, and made rounder and less graceful.) This slot in the Signature Set is represented by the second subtype of the series, with Gobrecht’s lovely original rendition of Liberty, with stars added to the obverse. The coins of this type are delicate and yet a fair number of very original examples can still be obtained.<br /><br />The current piece is a stunning example of this subtype. Originally obtained raw, this is one of the thick-skinned survivors that dodged years of cleaning and dipping to keep it “white.” I am most grateful for that and the fact that the denomination is so diminutive that these little pieces were likely ignored for “cleaning” when the larger denominations were polished up “perrty.” With only the slightest hints of rub, this piece boasts fabulous luster, and thick, colorful bands of concentric toning that grace the obverse and reverse. Tough for me to decide if I like this second subtype of the series more than the first!A truly transitional subtype that spans the years of 1838-1840, and can be found from both the Philadelphia and New Orleans Mints.

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