1805/4 50C Overton 103b MS(PCGS#39295)

November 2019 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

7055

Grade

G4

Price

1,560

Lot Description

1805/4 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-103b, T-11. Rarity-6. Good-4 (PCGS). Deep steely-charcoal patina in the fields and recessed areas yields to lighter silver gray over the design elements are other raised features. This is the rare, so-called 'b' die state of the 1805/4 Overton-103 dies, tentatively rated Rarity-6 in the Spring 2019 revision to Stephen J. Herrman's Auction & Mail Bid Prices Realized for Bust Half Dollars: 1794-1839. Herrman also notes that this die state is "controversial," as Steve M. Tompkins (2015) explains: "The retained cud as S1 & S2 never becomes a full cud, but will look that way with wear. Therefore despite claims by many, lower grade examples can not be used to prove or disprove this fact." Indeed, all coins that have been attributed as 1805/4 O-103b are in low grades, as here, the Herrman census topping out at VG-10. Examination of the present example will confirm Tompkins' concerns, as heavy circulation has made the cud smooth, so there is now no way of knowing whether it was a retained or full cud when the coin emerged from the dies. An intriguing die state in any event, and always popular with specialists. Provenance: From the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. PCGS# 39295. NGC ID: 24EH. Click here for certification details from PCGS.