1814 O.107a R5(+) Capped Bust Half Dollar PCGS VF25, late die state

Out of stock
SKU
30979465
$395.00
This is a very interesting variety, and a truly rare subvariety. The interesting part originates with Al Overton's 1970 mistake in describing this subvariety. He noted that, "Late die states show a crack from edge between 81 to bust". Don Parsley continued that error in the 1990 3rd edition of Overton (and in the 4th and 5th editions too). For years, specialists have looked for that die crack, to no avail. It doesn't exist. Perhaps the coin Overton described had a scratch or lamination, but not a die crack. What does happen in late die states, is that a die chip develops on the nose, and then later, a die chip develops under the serif of the first 1. Even later, some tiny die chipping is seen under the serif of the second 1 (that is the die state we see here). So, to be as correct as possible, the current 107a die state includes the die chip at nose, but not at the first or second 1. My vote would be the chipping at first 1 should be a 107b, and this should be a 107c. Completely a semi-educated guess on my part, but I would rate the 107a at R5, the 107b at R6, and this at R6+ or perhaps even R7. Oh, and the coin is magnificent for the assigned grade...original, choice and free of problems. But, that's only part of the interesting part. The really cool thing is that this die pair struck the famous and very rare, J-44 Platinum strikes, of which 3 are known. The late die state 107's (the noted 107a, 107b and 107c) all were struck after the J-44's, so we can be reasonably assured that all were actually struck in 1814.
More Information
PCGS # 39485
Grading Service PCGS
Denom Type Capped Bust Half Dollar
Grade VF25
Year of Issue 1814
Mint Location Philadelphia
Designation NONE
Circ/UnCirc Circulated
Strike Type Business
Grade Add On NONE
Holder Type N/A
Item Returns This item can be returned
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