First use of obverse 1 and the first use of reverse L. Perfect obverse. The reverse has minor die chips.
Although the reported mintage of 1,242,700 is quite comparable to the preceding two years, only seven die marriages are known, compared to 18 and 14 for 1829 and 1830. Comparing only mintages and die combinations for each of these years, we find that the average mintage per die combination was 68,333 coins for 1829; 88,571 coins for 1830; and 177,529 coins for 1831. This information alone suggests that something is not quite right. Examination of the Emission Order developed by Logan and McCloskey indicates convenient breaks that can be considered more carefully. All 1829 through 1831 half dimes were struck in one sequence, those from 1832 through 1834 in a second sequence, and 1835 to 1837 in a third. Although many other factors influenced average production per die variety, these groups may provide for further study.
This 1831-dated coinage was coined through the use of three obverse and five reverse dies. None of the seven known varieties are rare, and only one variety has two remarriages for a total of nine coins. This is an excellent "starter" year for the newer collector considering a collection by die variety. Only one variety is considered scarce with an R-4 rating. The Logan Collection includes 10 coins representing all nine marriages and remarriages.