Heritage World Coin Auctions
Dallas Signature US Coin Sale 1265 7-8 Dec 2017
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Bust Half Dollars
1825 50C O-102, R.1, MS65 NGC. Early die state (we suggest O-102'). The 1825 O-102 is readily available, yet it is clearly much scarcer in the early die state represented by this Gem example. The stars are not drawn to the edge -- rather, they are sharp and positioned away from the dentils; parallel die lines around the bust point are crisp and numerous on both sides of the bust tip; and the 8 in the date is sharply recut to resemble a smaller upper loop over the original 8. Stephen Herrman viewed images of the present coin, and replied:
"I can confirm that you definitely have a very early die state specimen of 1825 O-102. I have seen remnants of parallel die lines below the bust on this die marriage before, but they were not nearly as well defined and crisp. These parallel die lines disappear rather quickly ... it is clear that the 8 was repunched or more likely partially re-engraved. I had not noticed this previously..."
The fields are reflective and the motifs sharply struck, with strike doubling on the portrait. Peach-gold toning at the margins cedes to blue and silver-lilac at the centers. The Herrman Autumn, 2017 Census for O-102 recognizes the early die stage and suggests that this coin is tied for second-finest for the variety (regardless of die state).
HID02901242017
1825 50C O-102, R.1, MS65 NGC. Early die state (we suggest O-102'). The 1825 O-102 is readily available, yet it is clearly much scarcer in the early die state represented by this Gem example. The stars are not drawn to the edge -- rather, they are sharp and positioned away from the dentils; parallel die lines around the bust point are crisp and numerous on both sides of the bust tip; and the 8 in the date is sharply recut to resemble a smaller upper loop over the original 8. Stephen Herrman viewed images of the present coin, and replied:
"I can confirm that you definitely have a very early die state specimen of 1825 O-102. I have seen remnants of parallel die lines below the bust on this die marriage before, but they were not nearly as well defined and crisp. These parallel die lines disappear rather quickly ... it is clear that the 8 was repunched or more likely partially re-engraved. I had not noticed this previously..."
The fields are reflective and the motifs sharply struck, with strike doubling on the portrait. Peach-gold toning at the margins cedes to blue and silver-lilac at the centers. The Herrman Autumn, 2017 Census for O-102 recognizes the early die stage and suggests that this coin is tied for second-finest for the variety (regardless of die state).
HID02901242017