1839 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. No Drapery. WB-4. Rarity-4. AU Details--Cleaned

1839 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. No Drapery. WB-4. Rarity-4. AU Details--Cleaned (NGC). Cobalt, mauve, and rose patina intermingle over glossy surfaces that, under close inspection, reveal hairlines from a past cleaning. Even so, without magnification and close scrutiny, the coin presents as a perfectly respectable and attractive example of the eagerly sought No Drapery type. Interestingly, Koenings initially considered this coin a possible WB-2, perhaps in part because of the slightly rotated reverse, a characteristic Bugert notes for that variety. Close examination of the date position, however, identifies the obverse as that associated with the scarcer WB-4 variety rather than the one used for WB-1, WB-2 and WB-3. A die line behind Liberty's heel provides further evidence for the attribution. We thank Bill Bugert, who reviewed this coin with us by telephone and email to confirm the WB-4 attribution. All 1839 No Drapery half dollars are desirable, and the present coin would make a fine example of the type regardless of variety. Most collectors are fortunate to own even one example. We congratulate Koenings on assembling four examples representing three separate varieties-no small feat. The coin is certified by NGC as having drapery, however the coin is quite clearly a No Drapery example. We have left the coin in its current holder at the request of the consignor. Provenance: From the Jim Koenings Collection. PCGS# 6230. Click here for certification details from NGC.

Estimate:$1

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