Lot 1431
1811 Capped Bust Half Dollar. . Small 8. Overton-105a, diebreaks. NGC graded MS-68. Encapsulated in NGC holder 1742687-003. An exceptional bold strike. Violet thru the centers, royal blue at the borders. In the early part of the century in which these were current, bust half dollars, being the largest silver coins then in use, were held as cash reserves in banks along the East Coast, just as Morgan dollars would be held as backing for bank deposits and currency 50 years later. However, unlike the later silver dollar, most of these halves did eventually wend their way into circulation. Today mint state bust half dollars from 1811 are a scarce and worthwhile U.S. type coin. Superb examples are exceedingly rare. This is an exceptional piece that is virtually perfect. Blemish-free, the surfaces are highly lustrous with warm, glowing satiny frost beneath the light to medium patina that covers both sides. The peripheries deepen to an iridescent golden, blue, and rose color. Very sharply struck including almost complete details on each design element, with only star 7 flat. At the moment when superior quality Type coins are under intense pressure for a price rise, the simply amazing quality found here causes this to be easily the finest known example of the date and variety.
Distinctive late-stage die break on the reverse from the leaves through the tops of UNITED and STA, then curving down through TES to the ribbon above UNUM, continuing on around where it exits through the 5 of the denomination and the rim. Candidate for "Finest Known". Pop 1; none finer.
Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000.
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| Realized $72,000 |
