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Varieties:
Original
Small Berries Reverse
Non-Restrike Reverse (may not exist)
Restrikes
Large Berries Reverse
Small Berries Reverse
Doubled Ribbon
File Marks above RICA
Much confusion exists as to
what constitutes an Original versus a Restrike 1852 Half Cent.
"Original" implies a coin struck in 1852, which would have used the Small
Berries style reverse that first appeared in 1849 and which would have
weighed 84 grains. Unfortunately, every known 1852 Half Cent with a
Small Berries reverse is one of the Restrikes listed above. To further
confuse the issue, some writers have called the 1852 Large Berries reverse
"Original" and this was picked up in subsequent writings.
Recent appearances:
NGC Proof-66 Red-Brown. Ex
– American Numismatic Rarities, LLC’s “The Classics Sale,”
July 25, 2003
, Lot
102, "B-2, First Restrike, Rarity-5", illustrated, sold for
$9,200.00
Sources and/or recommended
reading:
"American Half Cents - The 'Little Half Sisters' (Second
Edition)" by Roger S. Cohen, Jr.
"Walter
Breen's Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents 1793-1857" by
Walter Breen (purchase a copy by clicking on the title)
"The PCGS Population
Report, October 2003" by The
Professional Coin Grading Service
Relevant collector
organizations:
Early American Coppers Club
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