1807 Capped Bust Half. Let's Talk About It.

I'd say G-6 but wouldn't be too surprised by VG-8. Looks all-original and appealing given the heavy wear.

VG-08

VG10

It is not the 50/20 variety. I think it is O-112, which is one of the most common varieties for the date. Thanks for the comments everyone. I will reveal the grade this evening (if I don't forget).

I have seen this look (dark gray fields with lighter surfaces on the high points) on half dollars (Draped Bust and Capped Bust) before. I don't know know if it has something to do with tightly packed envelope box storage or not. I once owned an 1805 half dollar with something similar. That coin was higher grade, and the look prompted me to sell it.

An any rate my grade for the coin would be VG-8. If it were in a higher grade that toned look would bother me, but for a coin with this sharpness it's okay.

The 1807 and 1808 Capped Bust half dollars were quite a bit different from the later pieces. There is a enough difference to constitute it as a different type in my opinion. That's why I bought a fairly nice, but not outrageously nice one for my type set.

Note the notch on the 13th star, on the star point closest to the rim. John Reich did that on all of the silver and gold coin dies that he made as a sort of "signature." The die variety collectors spotted that years ago.

The stikes on these coins were very uneven. Some elements are sharp while others are surprisingly weak. It's on of the reasons why these coins are hard to grade. Despite his reputation as the most qualified die maker in a America, John Reich had so learning to do about making dies for pieces that were met to go into circulation. The much rarer and seldom seen 1808 quarter eagle had its stike issues also.

Some people might give this coin a higher grade that VG, but that might be a tough sell given the lack of hair and eagle feather detail.

VG-8