1839 NO No Drapery Seated Liberty Half Dollar 50C NGC MS65

1839 50C No Drapery MS65 NGC. WB-101. The 1839 No Drapery half is popular both with type collectors and Seated coinage enthusiasts, owing to its status as a first year of issue among Seated Liberty halves and a one-year subtype in the series. Looking at the entire span of Seated Liberty coinage, the 1839 No Drapery and With Drapery halves are also interesting as the only Seated Liberty denomination to make its premiere in 1839. The Seated silver half dimes and dimes appeared in 1837, joined by the Seated quarters in 1838, the half dollars in 1839, and the silver Seated dollars in 1840. The 1839 No Drapery half dollar is considerably rarer and more valuable than the 1839 With Drapery half, an elusiveness that is clearly reflected in the price guides. Beside the obvious presence/absence of the drapery, there are various other differences between the No Drapery and With Drapery halves of 1839. The No Drapery shows Liberty's rock much closer to star 1 than the With Drapery, and there is more rock showing under Liberty's foot than on the With Drapery. The stars are more deeply sunk into the die on the With Drapery issue, and therefore appear larger. Both sides of this near-Gem example show satiny luster, with silver centers complementing shades of amber-gold near the rims. A small patch of reeding marks through the first T in STATES, and a little chatter underneath serve as pedigree markers. Eye appeal is strong, and this piece reflects both rarity and desirability in equal measure. Check out all the great US Coins, Paper Money, Ancients, World and Exonumia at Sarasota Numismatics. We are happy to answer any questions about this or anything in our vast inventory.