Lot Number 109
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1809 Incomplete Planchet Punch - O.115a R.3 VF
Henry’s Note: Mint-made circular indent on the reverse from about 1:00 to 7:00. This indent is almost certainly from an incomplete planchet punch (see #47 below). Purchased from Sheridan Downey in April 2011 at the Whitman-Baltimore show, where I discussed this coin with Craig Sholley (who gave a fine and well-researched talk about the early U.S. Mint in Philadelphia to the EAC group there).
Henry’s reference to “#47 below” is to a second error of this type in his collection, an 1831 O.108: An extremely rare error type; I don’t recall seeing another on a bust half-dollar. The incomplete punch is clearly visible from 3:00 to 6:00 on the obverse, and 11:30 to 5:00 on the reverse. Purchased by me from Sheridan Downey’s Mail Bid sale #28, June 2003, lot #187 for $789.00. Earlier from Michael Summers.
Estimate: $500 and up