1897-O 50C MS67 PCGS Secure. CAC....

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Elegant 1897-O Half, MS67
Tied for Second Finest at PCGS

1897-O 50C MS67 PCGS Secure. CAC. Ex: Duckor/Akers. The obverse has a faint die crack from the 7 to star 13, crossing the bust tip. No other die defects are evident on either side, and there is no evidence of die lapping. The strike is better than usual for the issue, although the eagle's tail feathers and right claw are somewhat ill-defined. The mintmark is upright, slightly right of center below the eagle's tail, and closer to the tail than the D in DOLLAR.
This piece is an early strike, with fully mirrored fields and exceptional contrast. Both sides have frosty, fully lustrous devices. Delicate gold toning is slightly deeper on the reverse. At first glance this Superb Gem appears equal to proof Philadelphia Mint issues, except it is from New Orleans. A few tiny surface ticks are noted, along with diagonal rolling lines that are nearly invisible on Liberty's cheek.
Although different, the Duckor and Eliasberg coins are equal in their overall appearance, both having fully prooflike surfaces. The Norweb Collection also had a prooflike piece, although slightly lower on the numerical scale. Was there some small production of prooflike 1897-O half dollars made for special presentation surfaces? Or is the existence of these prooflike pieces purely a matter of chance? Collecting mintmarks was still in its infancy in the late 1890s, and only a few collectors actually ordered coins directly from the various Mint facilities. Perhaps those that did survive were the special order coins. Population (6/10): MS66 (4); MS66+ (0); MS67 (2); MS67+ (0); MS68 (1).
Ex: David Akers (3/29/2003).
From The Dr. and Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Barber Half Dollar Collection.(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24LZ, PCGS# 6478, GSID# 6588)

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 12.50 grams
ASW: 0.3617oz
Mintage: 632,000

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