QUERY: 1838-O HALF DOLLARS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH

I am writing a book on the 1838-O half dollar. I have been in touch with Mark Van Winkle and David Stone from Heritage about their information. I can prove none were struck in Philadelphia. I can show when they were struck and why they were struck. I present and evaluate all possible theories and present all facts, conclusions, unknown, and what is untrue.

Last week I studied and photographed the Smithsonian Institution specimen, which I believe was struck after the initial ten. There are over 10 different die cracks on this specimen, which I believe proves it is the latest die state. The four different specimens listed by Heritage only show one of the die cracks, but it is possible that the lower photo quality or the fact that the coins are flat when photographed can obscure the die cracks when viewed from a 90 degree angle. The SI specimen also has a mirrored reverse, which I do not believe is seen on the others.

I would like to examine or have compared my images from the SI coin to other 38-O half dollars if possible. I am trying to have this book done by Christmas. I've already written about 62 pages, found a bunch of archive letters that shed light on these coins and their history.

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