Capped Bust Half Dollar

1824/1 Capped Bust Half Dollar. O-101. Rarity-2. MS-63 (PCGS).

The obverse of this Choice example is largely brilliant save for a trace of gold and sea-green patina at the borders. The reverse shows more colorful toning in sapphire-blue and bronze shades that deepen toward the left edge. Well struck and dramatically lustrous in the fields. Although two repunched date varieties and an indistinct overdate are also known for this issue, Overton-101 and 102 are the only two die marriages of the 1824 half dollar that qualify as the 1824/1 overdate. As a Guide Book variety for the year, this overdate is subject to incredible demand at all levels, and Mint State coins are relatively scarce. This popularity probably stems from the fact that these coins are vivid illustrations of conditions in the early U.S. Mint, where the technological and economic conditions of the time necessitated that dies remain in use for as long as possible. This policy was followed even if the date of the coins being struck was different from that on the calendar, or if Mint employees had to modify older dies for employment in later years. Such practices would be foreign to employees in the modern Mint. The present MS-63 sits comfortably among the top 10 examples of the O-101 variety and represents an important offering for specialists.

PCGS# 6139. NGC ID: 24FK.

PCGS Population: 16; 17 finer.

Ex H.I.M. Inc's sale of the Leon Goodman Collection, July 1982, lot 1360.

Estimate: $ 6000