I couldn't pass up an upgrade.

In the four sessions during which Heritage sold the Gardner collection in 2014 and 2015, I was fortunate to obtain eleven of the 186 business strike Liberty Seated half dimes. As you might expect, some of those other 175 coins have made appearances since the Gardner sale sessions.

One of those coins was in the Stack's-Bowers auction a couple months ago. It is a nice 1856-O in an NGC MS66 holder. I had considered it ten months earlier, but went after what I considered higher priority coins instead. But with the numismatic budget replenished and a second opportunity at hand, I acted. I was able to get it for what amounts to a cut bid more than the Heritage result.

Needless to say, I am pleased with the acquisition. It did not fill an empty hole in the collection, but upgraded its slot, previously occupied by a coin graded MS62. (That is the main reason the new one was lower priority last year. But there have been a handful of upgrade candidates in addition to the few remaining empty slots.)

Here's a shot of the obverse. Happy hunting to all...

Alan

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