Early American Silver

About This Set: Fun short series to collect with only 55 varieties. Almost all varieties can be found with moderate effort without paying any premiums. The reeded edge halves come beautifully struck routinely as a result of the mint now employing a steam powered coin press. Only 55 die marriages compared to 453 for lettered edge halves, where just 1827 alone has 49 die marriages. The series has been opened up by a wonderful book written by Dick Graham on reeded edge varieties that built upon his long term collaboration with Jules Reiver. His book has large photographs and extremely detailed descriptions that make attributions a snap for most coins. PCGS variety attribution services can come in handy, especially for some early die states lacking die cracks. This set includes 5 varities of New Orleans branch mint varities. These are the only branch mint Capped Liberty Halves coins ever made for ciculation. The New Orleans mint of course made the key American coin rarity 1838-O half dollar proof presentation pieces as well. Interestingly, the 1839-O GR-1 variety shares the same reverse as the 1838-O proofs. I wish to thank Dick Graham who has mentored me on the series and made possible the acquisition or upgrades of several key coins in the set. Not only did he literally "write the book", Dick was the first to complete the die marriages of all 55 circulation strikes.