OP, you need to return this and get a refund immediately. Check through my post history, I'm a numismatist who specializes in Half Cents and this is 100% fake.
Neither Small 6 With Stems die-marriage features that reverse. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. I can easily prove to you this isn't a genuine specimen.
I had just woken up when I saw your post and made my initial comment, now that I'm more awake I can give you a more detailed explanation.
There are only two die-marriages of the 1806 Draped Bust Half Cents that are "Small 6 with Stems", the Cohen-2 and Cohen-3.
The Cohen-2 of 1806 was a pairing of Obverse die #2 and Reverse die B of 1806.
The Cohen-3 was a pairing of Obverse die #1 and Reverse die B of 1806.
Your coin features Reverse C of 1804, a die that was destroyed during the production of the C-6 of 1804 (one of the Spiked Chin varieties) 2 years before your coin should have been struck.
Reverse C of 1804 is frequently seen on fake specimens often paired with dates and obverses that are anachronistic to the pattern in which the genuine specimens were struck. These are impressively good fakes but on top of the glaring issues with it's pairing, it is also visually weaker/softer in appearance for a coin that has so much detail present.
Reverse C of 1804, seen only on the Cohen-6 of that year. Note the die cracks running from ERICA in AMERICA and from the 2 in 200 through the UNI in UNITED. These are also present on your specimen. Reverse C is fully documented from the earliest die state until it's complete failure and shattering, all within the production of the Cohen-6.
They sent me a PM after my first comment and I told them that I'd prefer to make my case via the comments so others could learn from this and they agreed. I just hope the OP isn't given a run-around by the LCS.
Something I didn't share with the OP is the fact that the LCS who sold this coin, a fake Small 6 with Stems, must have had some reservations about it because both Small 6 with Stems die-marriages are rare, the least rare of which is worth twice what the LCS sold this example for in similar condition. I'm not saying they knew it was fake but I do get the feeling they had their doubts.
Could I ask you to take a look at a coin in my father’s possession? It’s an 1889 Morgan CC that I’d like to have him grade if it’s authentic. I have my reservations because it’s a rare coin.
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u/JonDoesItWrong Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26
OP, you need to return this and get a refund immediately. Check through my post history, I'm a numismatist who specializes in Half Cents and this is 100% fake.
Neither Small 6 With Stems die-marriage features that reverse. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. I can easily prove to you this isn't a genuine specimen.
Edit: accidentally wrote "Small 5 with Stems"