1834. Small date and letters. O-110. NGC graded MS-66 Prooflike. A needle sharp strike, untoned and totally brilliant with mirror fields on both sides. The seventh and final stylistic change to Reich's venerable capped bust left Half Dollar is seen in the 1834 to 1836 lettered edge pieces. There had been a massive redesign by the mint, with a smaller, sharper face and a downward-tilted bust line. Stars also are smaller. Most of these modifications were aimed at improving the striking quality of the dies.
Extremely well defined in all areas, with reflective qualities in the fields that are reminiscent of a proof striking from these relatively early years at the Mint. Each side is coated in olive-gold with slight russet mottling near the margins. An abrasion begins just left of star 4 and extends into the left obverse field.
"A circular die crack from the tail feathers crosses upper pair of olive leaves, tip of the left wing, through UNITED under first S, along top of scroll, then curving down across corner of same to top and across right wing to junction of arrow shaft and claw. Thereby forming a large loop around the inner design of this variety." (Early Half Dollar Die Varieties, 1794-1836, Third Edition, Al C. Overton, p.568) A memorable Bust half dollar, regardless of the date or die variety.
Pop 1; the finest prooflike graded at this service.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex Heritage Baltimore Sale, July 2003:7500.
Half Dollars
