1830 50C O-114 Large Letters Small 0 VG10 认证号30570001, PCGS号39836

Ron Guth

Overton 114 is the only variety of 1830 with large lettering on the reverse.  Since all of the other 1830 varieties have so-called "Small Letters" reverses, why was this one used? The explanation is that this reverse was leftover after having been used to strike Half Dollars in 1828, then it was re-entered into service in 1830.  This was not an unusual occurrence, as two leftover reverse dies from 1829 were also used in 1830, but both of those had Small Letters reverses, so their use was not as obvious as that of the Large Letters Reverse.  O-114 is a rare variety made even more popular as somewhat of a type coin for the year.  It is difficult to locate in AU or better condition, and it is exceedingly rare in Mint State.  We know of only four distinctly different Uncirculated examples, none of which are better than MS63.  The price record for this date belongs to the former Jules Reiver coin, sold by Heritage in 2006 as an NGC MS63 for $18,400.  None of the three PCGS MS63 examples have appeared on the market.