PCGS CoinFacts

Since the launch of PCGS CoinFacts,™ we have been hard at work updating and expanding the site's information. Here's another recent example:

Ron Guth: 1796 Half dimes are found in either of two major varieties: LIKERTY and 1796/5. The LIKERTY variety was not caused by an accidental misspelling, but by a defective B with weak crossbars at the top and bottom. On the LIKERTY variety, there is no trace of an overdate, unlike the 1796/5 (which shows a clear undertype).

LM-1 is the die designation that comprises all of the 1796 LIKERTY Half dimes. Logan, McCloskey et al calls this an R-3 variety (201-500 known) and note that this is "A scarce die marriage that this [sic] usually seen well worn." This meshes well with the PCGS Population Report, which shows 34 examples in all grades (as of January 2012). PCGS has certified seven Mint State examples, the finest of which is a single MS67.

Sources and/or recommended reading:

Russell Logan and John McCloskey, Federal Half Dimes: 1792-1837.

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