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Sale 78
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Lot 1144
1824. O-115. NGC graded MS-66. A nice white coin. Resplendent luster and gorgeous cartwheel frost over both sides. An exciting coin that we are privileged to offer. Not only does this remarkable specimen rank as the finest of this die variety, but it is well struck, indicating proper die alignment and possibly new, unworn dies. Completely lacking the usual weakness occurring on some of the stars or central hair curls. This example easily beats most others of its year. To reiterate: the surfaces are essentially perfect and highly lustrous silvery bloom that compares favorably with a 1940s era Walking Liberty half dollar just removed from an original roll!
The Capped Bust Half Dollar series spans the years 1807 to 1836. Within those years, several minor alterations were made. The fourth such "style" of John Reich's capped bust left Half Dollar, that of 1817 to 1825, incorporated several major improvements. First, the curls are far more finely engraved below the cap than on any other date range in the series. Plainly visible here, and to a collector who is unfamiliar with the series, fairly startling in its detail! Second, major changes in the relief of the drapery occur, especially the top fold in front of the clasp. Finally, the cheek and jaw are in higher relief and the chin more tilted upwards, plus there was some relief modification to the cap.
The nature of the progressive changes in the style of Reich's bust design -- from fine hair to coarse, and then starting over with fine again -- shows clearly that in this period the Mint was using master dies rather than hubs, as these modifications would have required the addition of more metal to a hub, but merely deepening of the engraving on a master die. The "Master Die" concept was, according to Stack’s and other researchers, standard practice at the Mint until many years after the end of the Bust Half Dollar series. Pop 1; none finer at NGC for the variety.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000.
Ex Kaufman Collection.
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| Realized $19,388 |
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