WB-101. Medium Date.

The rarity of this variety in higher grades is overlooked due to the numerous other interesting date varieties known for 1846-O half dollars. The 1846-O Medium Date is rare in Uncirculated with around 15-20 known, mostly in the MS60 to MS62 range. It is rare in MS63 and extremely rare above this. The second finest known, a PCGS MS65+, just sold reasonably for $18,800 as the Gardner auction; the Eliasberg: 1936 coin is graded MS66 by NGC.

This is a superbly toned example with deep multi-colored hues splashed across the obverse and the reverse. The surfaces show just a few small marks and they are well concealed by the depth of the coloration. The underlying luster is still visible and this coin has a wonderful, ultra fresh appearance.

No MS63′s have sold at auction since Stacks Bowers 8/11: 7025 brought $3,163. A PCGS MS64 without CAC approval realized $6,169 as Heritage 10/14: 4765.

This is an outstanding value at current levels as can be said for many higher grade No Motto half dollars from the 1840′s.

CAC has approved one in MS63 with three finer.