Only one is graded lower at NGC.

Normally I'm pursuing high grade examples of Liberty Seated Half Dimes. For most issues I can't afford the very highest graded coins, but can get nice ones just a notch down, with only a small number graded higher. But as I get closer to completing the set, the remaining slots are harder to fill. So I have been getting some less expensive coins to represent interesting varieties and die states.

Almost a year ago I purchased an 1848-O half dime for my main set. There are several known die marriages, involving reverse dies with three different sizes of the O mint mark. Mine is a relatively scarce Small O, one of two offered in the Gardner collection sales. I have been looking for cheaper examples of the scarce Medium O and relatively common Large O varieties.

An example of the Medium O just appeared in a Heritage Sunday internet-only auction. NGC slabbed it as XF 40, a little lower than I'd prefer, but it's still a nice little coin. I "won" it. Given that the grade and price are low, I checked the certified populations, and was amused to see that there is only one graded lower by NGC (more by PCGS; and of course, there are many more out there raw or in other TPG holders). So it is sort of the opposite to most of my main set coins.

I have heard of someone trying to collect the lowest graded examples of things. Perhaps the lowest 1848-O NGC half dime would be nice. According to the pop report, it's an AG3 star. Yes, an AG3 with a star for eye appeal. Maybe it can get a CAC sticker too.

Anyway, here's the Medium O...

Alan

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