1809 O.115 Capped Bust Half Dollar PCGS XF45 CAC, scarce EDS

The 1809 O.115 die marriage is an interesting one. The dentils on both sides didn't last very long, though the obverse lasted longer than the reverse. I've always thought that perhaps the reverse die was a bit larger in diameter than most (all??) of the others, since the dentils are almost never seen on that side, yet the struck portion of the coin goes right to the edge. Or, maybe the dentils were punched into the die too far out from the center...the compass was set to a larger than normal distance. I'm not sure exactly what, but something is different on this marriage. Food for thought. The coin itself is lovely - choice, original, beautifully toned and softly lustrous. And, there are about as many dentils as you will ever find on a 115! This is Die State 115.1, per the BHNC's new die state handbook, "Die State Progressions of the Capped Bust Half Dollar Die Varieties 1807-1836", which is a very modest cost item, available right here on our website. Please see our Numismatic Literature section, and get your copy today!