Heritage Auctions - Our upcoming April 27-May 2 Central States auction features a
Condition Census 1807 O-105 half dollar, at MS65+ a rare, high-end type coin from the final year of the Draped Bust design. The only Draped Bust halves that are marginally available in Mint State for type collectors are the 1806 and 1807, and these are also the only dates in the series that exist in any meaningful quantity — even if small — at the Gem level. This Plus-graded 1807 is effectively the sole second-finest at PCGS, and it is a high Condition Census example of the O-105 die pairing. The only finer examples of the variety are an MS66 NGC coin and the D. Brent Pogue MS66 PCGS example (Stack's-Bowers, 5/2015), lot 1115, which realized a staggering sum of $152,750. NGC lists one additional MS66 coin, an O-110 example that last appeared in our FUN Signature auction (Heritage, 1/2016), lot 5363.
This high-end MS65, however, carries the distinction of being one of only two Gems with a CAC endorsement — something not awarded to any finer example of the variety or date. This piece is also the first PCGS-graded Gem regular-issue 1807 half we have ever offered at auction, even though PCGS lists seven other non-Plus-graded MS65s.
This coin displays a razor-sharp, even strike that defines all peripheral stars and the central reverse eagle and stars. Liberty's portrait is equally bold. This frosty, lustrous coin showcases original mint luster. The interiors have light champagne toning, but the peripheries exhibit deep russet and gunmetal-blue hues that attractively frame the devices. Only a few trivial ticks are seen under a loupe. This die state shows both dies clashed with faint peripheral cracks. Later states of the reverse exhibit advanced deterioration, as this is that die's only use. The obverse was later employed for O-106 and -107.
This is an outstanding coin that is sure to attract competitive bidding when it crosses the auction block.
Posted 03/13/2016 10:41 am
