1808 50C MS67 PCGS....

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Finest Known 1808 O-105 Half Dollar

1808 50C MS67 PCGS. O-105, R.3. This is the second year of production for John Reich's Capped Bust design and the second and final year of use for the first Capped Bust half dollar master die. Dr. Glenn Peterson talked about these coins in the introduction to the year 1808 in his half dollar attribution guide: "At the Mint, the first master die for half dollars is used for the second, and last, year -- a tall, handsome design of Miss Liberty often softly struck in the center due to Mint machinery lacking sufficient force to bring up all the details on this design. No half dimes, dimes, or quarters were produced this year. John Reich introduced the Classic Head type to large cents and the Capped Bust design to quarter eagles."
When we first saw this coin, we thought for sure that it was the same as an NGC MS66 example that we sold ten years ago. These two coins are nearly identical in description: rich-golden rose in the central areas with a translucent blue at the margins. They are not the same, however, and this Superb Gem MS67 example is clearly finer. This is almost certainly the finest known 1808 O-105 variety, and may be the finest known 1808 half dollar of any variety. PCGS has certified only one other example of the date in MS67 grade with none finer. In fact, for this entire design type, PCGS has only certified 15 MS67 examples and a single finer MS68 coin.
This half dollar is unusually sharply struck. Each of the 13 stars on the obverse shows its individual detail as does the drapery clasp on Liberty's shoulder. All of the hair curls are well defined, even including the usually weak hair to the right of her neck. The rich golden-rose toning on the obverse has speckles of ivory shining through, with fully complete and frosty luster beneath. The reverse is likewise sharply struck. Only the slightest weakness is noted on the very top edge of the left-hand wing. The individual feathers of the left wing, and especially those just to the left of the shield border, are completely detailed. Both the horizontal and vertical lines of the shield are also sharply defined. The reverse coloration is nearly the same as the obverse. This is a gorgeous and Superb Gem 1808 half dollar that will please the connoisseur. Population: 2 in 67, 0 finer (9/04).(#6090) (Registry values: N1)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24EP, PCGS# 6090, GSID# 6144)

Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper
Weight: 13.48 grams
ASW: 0.38676oz
Mintage: 1,368,600

View Certification Details from PCGS