Question On This 1853-O Half

That's the 11th and 12th, counting begins from the lower left. It appears to be a die crack in the images.

The origin of stray metal in the field is unknown to me.

In the right field - die chip? Planchet flaw? Didn't seem to bother the graders or CAC.

That is an internal Die Cud next to the drapery and another Cud between stars 11 and 12. This is a VLDS for this die marriage and supposedly a rarity of R6 for the VLDS. The die marriage is a WB-101/ WB-3.

Heymikep is right on. It's described as such in Bill Bugert's excellent reference on this series.

This die is going to pieces. Starting from the knee we have a crack tot he right. This crack has sustained some die chipping creating that raised lump in the field. Continuing on the crack branches with the lower branch running to star 13 between points 4 and 5. The upper branch runs to the rim between stars 11 and 12. Two cracks come off this main crack running to star 12 points 5 and 6 creating a retained internal die break. The crack to point 5 continues on to star 13 joining the lower crack between points 4 and 5. This crack also upward from the main crack to star 11 then star 10 and finally to the liberty cap.

There is a crack through star 6 to Liberty's shoulder in line with the edge of her gown. There is a fainter crack from the rim to her shoulder passing just right of star 5.

There is a final crack from the rim below the date passing just right of the 8 through the top of 53 through the base and then curving back down to the rim. the crack just misses connecting withthe middle of Liberty's foot.

id go with die chip too!