1897-O 50C MS(PCGS#6478)

The August 2010 Boston Rarities Sale

Auctioneer

Bowers & Merena

Lot Number

571

Grade

MS64

Price

7,891

Lot Description

1897-O Barber Half Dollar. MS-64 (PCGS). A leading absolute and condition rarity among O-mint Barber Halves, the 1897-O has a limited mintage of just 632,000 pieces. Most examples have long since been lost to circulation, and even a problem-free AU represents an important find in today's market. Here we offer an even more impressive near-Gem, a coin with satiny luster and rather smooth-looking surfaces. Handsome toning in pinkish-silver and reddish-apricot iridescence is evenly blended over both sides and speaks volumes about the coin's originality. A typical O-mint strike is noted for the reverse, but the obverse is generally bold in detail.