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First, what exactly is a "open claws reverse die". Why is it called "Open Claws".
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Look at the last two pictures in the original post. The one on the left is the open claws (Capped bust half die) notice how the claws of the talons almost point down at the words HALF DOLLAR. Then look at the one on the right That is a closed claws (seated Liberty reverse die) on it the talons are more tightly closed and the claws curve back up around the olive branch. The ope claws is simply called that in comparison to the new reverse with more tightly closed claws.
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How does anyone know when looking at a 1840 without a mint mark that the coin wasn't from Philidelphia?
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Because this particlar reverse die, with its identifying die cracks also comes paired with an 1839 O obverse die. The reverse is obviously a capped bust half rev die (Open claws, much larger shield on the eagles breast, larger lettering font that is positioned much closer to the denticals.) and it was obviously well used because of the die cracks. When compared to the 1839 Philadelphia capped bust halves no match was found but when they compared it to the New Orleans 1839 halves they did find a match. And since there would be no reason to send the old New Orleans reverse back to Philadelphia it is a pretty safe assumption that the 1840 Medium letter halves (capped bust rev) were made in New Orleans.
