Particularly frosty and lustrous for the grade, this near-gem is rich dark brown on the obverse with regions of light brown and highlights of pale blue. The reverse is lighter, closer to mellowed mint color, with frosty light brown yielding blue and gold highlights amid vestiges of original red. The reverse shows some spotting, all pigment without substance or corrosion. Some very light hairlines are noted on the portrait, including a long thin line from the hair above 1 in the date across her shoulder drapery. Subtle iridescence suggests the presence of a common copper preservative.The die state of this specimen is a bit more advanced than the previous coin, with heavy clash marks clear behind Libertys portrait and continued erosion of the die face in the left obverse. This creates the appearance of a raised, roughened crescent in the left field, as described in Breens Die State II. Half cent specialists have long been intrigued by 1804 in particular. Though many denominations with the 1804 date are well known rarities, the half cents are comparatively common, with 13 die varieties and seemingly infinite collectible die states. Several of the individual die varieties are extremely elusive, scarce in all grades and unknown in Mint State. The Cohen-12 is not as common as Cohen-13 or Cohen-10 in Uncirculated grades, but remains a popular choice for type collectors.
