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A Dark, Gunky, Crunchy, Totally Original 1839-O Reeded Edge Half

Started by TomB,

29 posts in this topic

TomB

TomB

Posted
Posted

There aren't many coins that I search for by date, but the 1839-O Reeded Edge (RE) half dollar has been on my active search list for quite a while. The issue is easy enough to obtain if one is not concerned with the coin being previously abused in some manner. However, to find an original piece, and one that has significant meat remaining, is quite difficult.

 

Some coins appear with a frequency that does not match their reported original mintage figures, in my opinion. For example, the 1807 CBH comes up for sale far less than one might imagine for a coin with a reported mintage of approximately 750,000 pieces, which makes me believe that this figure is inflated and might contain 1807 DBH deliveries as well. In contrast, a coin such as the 1836 RE half appears for sale more times than I would expect for the miniscule reported mintage of 1,200 pieces. Other coins such as the 1815/2 CBH are well known key dates within their series, but the fact that there is only one die marriage of the date seems to have lifted variety collector-pressure from the extant population and allows the reported mintage of approximately 47,000 to be distributed within the collector community more evenly. In my opinion, the 1839-O RE half most closely resembles the 1807 CBH with respect to reported mintage figures and availability.

 

The 1839-O RE has a reported mintage of less than 180,000 and this places it within the general realm of the 1909-S IHC, 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, 1916-D Merc, 1896-S Barber quarter, 1901-S Barber quarter, 1913-S Barber quarter, 1916 SLQ, 1932-D Washington, 1932-S Washington, 1815/2 CBH, 1921 WLH, 1921-D WLH, 1921-S WLH and 1893-S Morgan. Of this group, I think it fairly safe to say that the 1839-O RE half is the least well recognized and, with the possible exception of the 1901-S Barber quarter, the least commonly found piece in original condition, especially in mid-grades.

 

The relative lack of recognition for the 1839-O issue seems to be due to it being neither fish nor fowl. The RE series is basically quite similar to the avidly collected CBH series, yet many folks who collect CBHs do not delve into the short RE set. This may be due to the change in minting technology that heralded in this design type and that helped define the classic Overton book. Also, while the reverse is only subtly different from the initial Seated Liberty issues, the obverse is completely foreign. This would appear to make the RE halves less attractive to collect for Seated Liberty specialists. What we have, then, is a short and fascinating series of half dollars issued from 1836-1839, which were issued simultaneously with the last of the long-running CBHs in 1836 and the first of the long-running Seated Liberty halves in 1839.

 

The 1839-O, the first business strike half dollar from the New Orleans Mint that I was recently fortunate enough to acquire is dark, gunky, crusty and original with a deep grey and subtle violet patina. In-hand, I believe the coin has better than EF45 details, but its assigned PCGS EF45 grade is consistent with my anecdotal observation that deeply patinated, original type coins are not always given their proper grade by the TPGs and that they often receive a lower grade. It may seem odd, but this is a "Box of Twenty" coin for my collection.

I1839OP45.jpg

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jesbroken

jesbroken

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Absolutely, one of the best "original" cbh halves I have seen. Unbelievable that it did not grade AU55. This is a real class act coin and for it to be one you've been searching for is totally rare. Great looking. I absolutely love the obv mintmark. That in itself should make it most desireable. Thanks for sharing this with us Tom.

Jim

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MBA101

MBA101

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Damn, that is one fantastic coin! Finding one like that is definitely just luck, being in the right place at the right time.

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James_OldeTowne

James_OldeTowne

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Because this is not a "hot" series, the 1839-Os are available. At the St. Louis show, I sold both of my specimens, a lovely EF-40 and a F-12 (neither one certified), then bought one more in VF (yet again, uncertifed), and sold it also just a couple of days later! It is a popular collector coin that happens to be in an unpopular sub-series (if there is such a term). Many collectors love to use it as a type coin. The subject coin is outstanding, and one I would gladly own.

 

Slightly off the topic, I do have a curious story involving a PCGS certified 1839-O, and this was several years ago that it was offered to me, not long after I started setting up at shows. I'll never forget the coin. It was discounted heavily for a graded AU-58 and was a bit overly white. But worse, when I flipped it over, it had an incredibly, blatantly obvious partial drill hole literally 1/4" in diameter directly above the eagle's head. It was gaping HUGE! Yet the coin somehow got in the holder. That was the very first slabbed coin that ever taught me just how imperative it is to review every coin with care, certified or not. I truly wish I owned that coin now as evidence of how big of a mistake any certification company can make.

 

I don't mean to derail this thread, but ever since that valuable learning experience, the 1839-Os have held a special particular meaning for me.

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Wihlborg

Wihlborg

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In my best Randy Jackson impersonation from American Idol ‘Yo, yo, that’s a hot one dawg!’

 

Wow, what a nice coin Tom. I love it. The only statement of yours that I’d disagree with is that it is a box of twenty coin. Hell, that’s a box of ten in my book.

 

Congrats!

 

John

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MunkyMan95

MunkyMan95

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What does “Box of Twenty” mean think.gif

 

 

A box of 20 is just that... A box of 20 coins. I guess some would consider this the 'CORE' of their collection. I have this mentality when it comes to some of the coins I have. My Saint would be in the box of twenty, along with the toned Morgan and the Bust half I got at the ANA show. Also the Draped Bust cent I have it my Dansco 7070 - I really love that coin.

 

Hope this helps!

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Wihlborg

Wihlborg

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Winston,

 

A lot of collectors walk around shows with some of their best coins to show to friends or dealers. For size & convenience, the coins are usually in a NGC or PCGS box. Since these boxes hold twenty coins and they contain the collector’s best coins…we have the term of ‘box of twenty’ meaning that these are the twenty coins that that collector would never want to part with. It’s the best of the best.

 

John

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MikeKing

MikeKing

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The box of 20 are the 20 coins that Tom is going to give me if he retires from the collecting world. 893whatthe.gif

 

 

regarding the O coin, takeit.gif

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JRocco

JRocco

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Hey Tom,

The 39-O is one of those coins. Just getting a decent 39-O is tough...yours is a tremendous piece. The strike and overall look of this one is top shelf. This is a coin to be proud to own. This one will raise even the best collection even higher.

Great coin that I wish were mine. thumbsup2.gif

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IGWT

IGWT

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After further consideration -- and consulatation with my daughter -- I'd say that this coin is nothing short of phenomenal. Great post, Tom.

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RGT

RGT

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Tom, that's a fantastic coin. I like the RE halves and own two 1837s and one 1838. One of my 1837s is a similar color to yours and is in an NGC AU58 holder. I don't think it has quite as thick a crust on it though. Maybe some day I'll manage to find an 1839-O and an 1836 that look half as nice as yours. 893applaud-thumb.gif

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Stanley

Stanley

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Don’t be to rough on him now. He’s just showing off, got to appease the masses from time to time. grin.gif

 

Just joking Tomb, that is a beautiful 39 O thumbsup2.gif

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TJ'S Coins

TJ'S Coins

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Great coin Tom. It is a fantastic addition for any collector, especially for you who has such an eye for originality and quality. Thanks for sharing it!

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