1834 50C Large Date, Large Letters PCGS #6164

NGC 3122734-002

Gordon Wrubel

Quickfinder Notes: The 1834 Large Date, Large Letter variety (Overton #101,102,103) uses the same design elements of the previous year. In mid year, engraver William Kneass redesigned the obverse master die, as well as the number, letter and star punches. This produced the transitional Large Date, Small Letters varieties (Overton 104 through 108) and later the the Small Date, Small Letter varieties. The Large Date can be determined by the 1 and the 4 which are TALLER than the 8 and 3. The date is also CLOSE to the denticles below it. On the Large Letter reverse, the letters are close together and close to the rim. The center stroke of the E in STATES terminates in a VERTICAL bar. On the Small Letter reverse the center stroke of the E in STATES is TRIANGULAR.

The Large Date, Large Letter and the Small Date, Small Letter varieties outnumber the Large Date, Small Letter by a factor of 2 to 1 in terms of total number of coins graded and Mint State specimens graded. But none of the three can be considered scarce, even in Mint State condition. Many examples of all three varieties exist in MS-65 condition. But, as of December, 2013, each can boast no more than 1 or 2 specimens graded 66 or 67.