1809/6 1/2C 9 over Inverted 9, BN AU55BN Certification #16792133, PCGS #1126
Owner's Comments
Expert Comments
Charles Morgan
1809/6 "9 Over Inverted 9" Classic Head Half Cent, C-5
Rarity-1 | Eckberg 4-E (Rarity-1). Popularly referred to as the "1809/6" overdate, this variety is actually a blundered date rather than a true overdate. Because the Draped Bust design was still in use in 1806 — three years before the Classic Head design debuted in 1809 — an 1809/6 overdate is logically impossible.
Even in the earliest die state, distinct die cracks are visible to the left of stars 4 through 6 and across the back portion of Liberty’s head. Over time, progressive die lapping completely erased the obverse denticles and left only partial denticle detail on the reverse. On the obverse, the left edge of the hair curl is tucked in directly above the right curve of the "9." On the reverse, the highest leaf extends just past the second "S" in STATES, while the lowest leaf beneath the "F" extends slightly past the serif of the letter's crossbar. This is a major variety recognized in the Red Book.
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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| 65 or Better | 1200 |
| All Grades | 50 |
| 60 or Better | 2 |
| 65 or Better | R-4.9 |
| All Grades | R-8.5 |
| 60 or Better | R-9.9 |
| 65 or Better | 7 / 16 |
| All Grades | 4 / 16 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 2 / 16 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 7 / 16 |
| All Grades | 4 / 16 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 2 / 16 TIE |
Condition Census Learn More
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#1 PCGS MS65BN
“The Richard C. Jewell Collection,” American Numismatic Rarities, August 13, 2011, Lot 1117 – $9,200; Stack’s Bowers, August 13, 2011, Lot 7215 – $20,700; “The ESM Collection,” Stack’s Bowers, March 19, 2020, Lot 3035 – $36,000; Bruce Gimelson; “The Garrison Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 11, 2024, Lot 4011 – $18,000. C-5. Die State 1.0. |
#1 PCGS MS65BN
Michael Moriarity; "The Carvin Goodridge Collection," Goldberg Auctions, September 2012, Lot 257. As PCGS MS65BN #30451276. Heritage Auctions, August 22, 2022, Lot 3086 – $20,400. C-5. Manley Die State 1.0. |
#1 PCGS MS65BN
Doris E. Nelson; "The TAD Collection (Toby and Doris E. (Nelson) Szymanski)"; Stack’s, March 1975, Lot 842; R. Tettenhorst (Bernard Edison); The Missouri Cabinet (Edison and Eric P. Newman); “Missouri Cabinet Collection,” Goldberg Auctioneers, January 2014, Lot 96 - $57,600. As PCGS MS65BN #32708224. “D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V,” Stack’s Bowers / Sotheby’s, March 31, 2017, Lot 5062 – $30,550. C-5. Die State 1.0. |
#1 PCGS MS65BN
Howard Rounds Newcomb; Newcomb Collection sold en bloc to Col. E.H.R. Green via B. Max Mehl, 1935; Col. E.H.R. Green Estate, June 1936; B.G. Johnson and Eric P. Newman, by sale, April 1943; Eric P. Newman, by exchange; The Missouri Cabinet (Bernard Edison and Eric P. Newman); “The Missouri Cabinet,” Goldberg Auctioneers, January 2014, Lot 97 - $63,000. As PCGS MS65BN #32708225. “D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V,” Stack’s Bowers / Sotheby’s, March 31, 2017, Lot 5063 – $32,900. C-5. |
#5 PCGS MS64BN
As PCGS MS64BN #41664647. “The Silas Stanley Roberts Collection,” Stack’s Bowers, June 10, 2021, Lot 1264 – $20,400. As PCGS MS64BN #45533915. Stack’s Bowers, August 23, 2022, Lot 2034 – $9,000; Stack’s Bowers, March 21, 2023, Lot 3067 – $10,500. C-5. Manley Die State 1.0. Silas Roberts lived from 1888-1964. His collection was off the market for nearly 60 years. |




