One of just four specimens graded Mint State by PCGS. Strong luster embraces both sides, ringing the obverse with golden peripheral toning and hints of pastel blue. The dusky gray reverse is more satiny, enlivened by shades of gold, violet, and blue. A handsome specimen for the grade, showing none of the usual wear or marks often seen on coins of this numerical level, though light hairlines are noted beneath the toning on both sides. The strike shows areas of typical bluntness, with all stars but 12 and 13 lacking centers, some rounded features atop Liberty s portrait, and softness in the wingtips and tail. Despite these areas, the eagle s breast is well feathered, the star cluster is mostly bold, and other areas hold their detail well. A very fine die crack joins the tops of ES of STATES and OF to the wingtip below, while another crosses the centers of all letters in AMERICA as it arcs towards the eagle s tail and beyond. Just a beautiful specimen, from the same old-time holding that included the James A. Stack 1802 half dollar offered above. While the Overton-Parsley census lists two Mint State examples from this die marriage, the PCGS Population Report includes just four non-overdate 1805 half dollars graded at the Mint State level from all 12 normal date varieties. One each has been graded at MS-62 and MS-63. The Col. E.H.R. Green - Eric P. Newman specimen is the only Mint State O-111 to have sold recently, bringing $42,593.75 in NGC MS-63.
