The reverse die state ... is extraordinary. — Q. David BowersA coin of world-class technical quality, additionally blessed with superb aesthetics and one of the greatest provenances in American numismatics. Rapid and intense cartwheel luster rotates around both sides, enlivening the hidden iridescence among the deep gray and golden fields. The visual appeal is magnificent, truly that of a Gem, with no serious marks and nothing to contra-indicate superb originality. The strike is just as superb: all 13 stars in the reverse star cluster show their centers, the eagles head and breast are well detailed, and all obverse stars but 8 through 11 show their centers as well. Libertys hair ribbon is a bit soft, and an area of softness from the left side of the eagles breast to the nearest wingpit is a by-product of the advanced cracks seen all over the reverse die. A remarkable network of cracks can be studied under magnification, beginning with one that starts at star 5 of the star cluster (top row, second from right), descends through stars 10 and 13 of the star cluster, shows a large lump break on the eagles beak, then descends horizontally through the shield, leaving the right and left side on two completely different planes. It emerges at the base of the arrow bundle and intersects the rim. Another starts at the rim above UN of UNITED, connects the tops of the letters of that word and arcs back to the rim near 12:00 above E of STATES. Other cracks include two that descend through the arrowheads, intersect at the talon at left, and continue to the rim, and another bold crack from rim through O of OF that ends in the star cluster. A few smaller ones are also noted, and bold clash marks are present on both sides. Now widely considered to be the finest known example from these dies, this specimen will appeal to both advanced half dollar specialists and type collectors who value extraordinary originality and aesthetics. This example vastly outpaces other Mint State examples of O-118 (and O-118a, the late die state) sold within recent memory. It realized nearly twice as much in the 1997 Eliasberg sale ($30,800) as the next finest Mint State specimen that has sold within the last 10 years (NGC MS-63, $16,100) did when sold in 2009.
