Lot 476
003319045017. PCGS graded EF-40. CAC Approved. A hint of tone. The year 1805 brought about a renewal of production of half dollars with fourteen die varieties and a total mintage of 211,722. Three of the seven obverse dies were prepared for use in 1804 as the date was overpunched with a 5 creating the 1805/4 overdates. The manufacture of working dies from the master hub took about three days' effort, and cost approximately $17 each to prepare according to the Parsley/Overton reference on this extensive series of coins. "Since the mint was working on a very small budget the waste of approximately fifty dollars was not acceptable. The lack of effort to remove the underlying 4 indicates that the mint was much more concerned with efficiency than with accuracy of dates." It also seems that the prolonged use of dies was readily visible in 1805 with major die cracks, breaks, and cuds apparent on a number of specimens. Most varieties this year are relatively common, and hence, suitable, indeed ideal, for Type Set purposes.
On O-109, the same obverse as used in O-108 is carried over. On it, star 13 touches the upper edge of the bust. On the reverse, there are 4 berries on the branch, with a leaf joined to the right base of I in AMERICA. ME very close. Pop 77; 82 finer at PCGS for the variety. (PCGS # 6069) .
Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,550.
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| Realized $1,998 |
