1820 50C Square Base No Knob 2, Large Date AU58 PCGS....

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Census Level 1820 O-107 Half, AU58
Prooflike 'Presentation Piece'

1820 50C Square Base No Knob 2, Large Date AU58 PCGS. O-107, R.5. The Broken Es variety. The obverse is the type with a square base, curl top 2 as found on O-106, 107, and 108. This particular die appears on O-106 and O-107. Each E on the reverse is missing its upper and lower left serifs. Each A is missing its outer right serif. The reverse die also appeared on 1821 O-103.
The reverse die shows evidence of die lapping in the feathers below the shield. Close examination of this piece and three different examples of 1821 O-103 in the Frederick Collection reveals that this 1802 O-107 was struck after the 1821 half dollars.
In addition to its importance as a rare variety, the 1820 O-107 is also a distinct Guide Book listed variety, and is doubly important as such. The Frederick Collection contains a Census level piece that some, including Don Frederick, have called a proof or presentation specimen. In 1977, Dave Bowers wrote of this piece: "Presentation specimen, of the type often sold as 'Proof.' Some minor friction. Light striking at bust point. Full prooflike surface on reverse, including in the interior of the shield stripes (often given as a criterion for determining Proof vs. first strike)." The absence of this piece in Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Proof Coins suggests that he was unaware of its existence when his reference was published. He would certainly have called this coin a proof.
Regardless of its striking status, it is clearly a solid Condition Census prize and probably the third or fourth finest known, perhaps on a par with the AU58 NGC coin from the Charlton Meyer Collection.
Only the presence of light friction on the highest points of the cheek, hair curls, and wing prevent a full Mint State grade to this piece. Each side has a hint of gold and iridescent toning on prooflike surfaces. Both sides have fully mirrored fields with the exception of a small area of mint frost at the lower left part of the obverse, between the drapery and first two stars. The mirrored surfaces is fully visible between the shield stripes on the reverse, and within some of the letters of the motto.
Edge 4: FIFTY CENTS OHALF A DOLLAR. The R in OR and the H in HALF perfectly overlap.
Ex: a Bust Half Nut Club member; Bowers and Ruddy (5/1977), lot 795.
From The Donald R. Frederick Collection of Early U.S. Coinage: Bayside Part II.

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