Sharp impression, brilliant Uncirculated. — W. Elliot Woodward, 1883 Ablaze with cartwheel luster on both sides, toned with lovely and delicate shades of rich blue and pale gold-green, bright enough to evoke the brilliance of a new coin but toned enough to recognize its originality and 13 decades of provenance. Light reveals abundant iridescent shades, including rose, orange, and violet, and never fails to highlight the remarkable luster. The strike is impressive, including a fully realized portrait of Liberty, intact centers on stars 1 through 10, full eagle feathers, and a complete cloud and star cluster. The surface quality suggests a higher grade, and we notice only a natural low spot inside of star 12 and a thin, curved hairline scratch that extends from Liberty s hairline at her cheek, through her lips to the field and star 11 beyond. The dies have clashed several times, most notably above the date. An arc crack just inside the denticles joins the very tops of STATES OF, with a die lump between those words. Another short crack and related lump is seen above NU of UNUM behind the eagle s head. The obverse is uncracked though several stars are drawn to the rim. Acquired by T. Harrison Garrett in 1883 from the sale of the William J. Jenks Collection, this coin was in but two collections between the Lincoln Administration and the Carter Administration. William J. Jenks, a Philadelphia druggist, was an active member of the Philadelphia numismatic establishment during the 1860s. The Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia sometimes met in his stately home, where he was apt to display all manner of rare coins, ancient to modern. According to his 1905 obituary, William J. Jenks was always of a happy, even cheerful, disposition, and his very presence was a pleasure of which his associates were sensible. Reserved, yet with an inspiring dignity, thoughtful and considerate of others’ views and feelings, he enjoyed universal confidence and respect ... Jenks retained his physical strength and energy to a remarkable degree to a ripe old age, and his memory and mental faculties remained unimpaired, as if he had discovered the secret of recurrent youth. He accomplished the difficult task of growing old most gracefully. The same could be said for Jenks’ gem 1807 half dollar, which has aged more gracefully than nearly any other silver coin from its era. Described in the 1979 Garrett sale as a truly marvelous, exceptional, fantastic example from the viewpoint of both condition and striking, the rarity (in this state of preservation) and desirability of this piece cannot be overemphasized. Today, it is the single finest 1807 half dollar graded by PCGS and one of just five examples of the entire design type to exceed MS-65.
