Lot 345
1805 Draped Bust Half Dime. AU-50. As a date, the 1805 half dime is highly desirable. The reported mintage of 15,600 leaves precious few for collectors today. To find a high grade example is nearly impossible. In particular, this coin has frosty luster, deep blue and gold toning around the rims, and has the typical strike (weak on Liberty's bust). One tiny drill mark is noted on the second T of STATES, but this is not too distracting, and microscopic in size. We also note two minor scratches below the lower curl of Liberty, left of the date. On the edge of the coin, we note reeding on the left side of the obverse, none on the right side, perhaps the coin was not aligned in the Castaing machine when the edge reeding was applied, and only half the coin lined up on the edge die. Irregular reeding is not that uncommon on these early small silver coins. As a date, 1805 is difficult to obtain above EF condition, and the opportunity to purchase such a wonderful toned example of this rare date should not be missed. In a review of the PCGS Population Report, the finest 1805 half dime graded is AU-58, and only a total of 3 coins have been graded as high as AU-50! The significance of this lustrous AU coin can not be overstated.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,400.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Macallister on March 17, 1945 as "Uncirculated" for $220, and previously in a Wayte Raymond Sale, lot 501.
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| Realized $5,060 |
